Springer certainly prospered at DH on Saturday, scoring two solo courts as the Blue Jays held on to the Houston Astros 2-1. “If he wants me to do it that day, I do it,” Springer said. “I’m not going to complain. I do not care. It does not bother me. I’m here for us. “If that means I’m DH, I play well, I play center or whatever, I’ll do it.” Montoyo said that Springer’s normal position as Toronto center is safe, but he appreciates the star’s willingness to play where needed. “I’m glad he doesn’t mind DHing because for some guys it’s hard, it’s not easy to do, because kids are used to playing every day,” Montoyo said. “He’s comfortable doing it though, so he’s great.” José Berríos (2-0) scored five over 5 2/3 innings, allowing a run of seven hits and two runs. Adam Siber, Tim Maiza and Jordan Romano threw 3 1/3 without a score for Toronto (14-8). Romano, from Markham, Ont., Won his 10th save of the season. “I have felt more in rhythm, stronger and more confident with my stadiums,” said Berríos. “Today I threw a better off-field pitch, so I want to keep building on it.” Jordan Alvarez’s home streak kept Astros (11-10) in the game. Luis Garcia (1-1) allowed two streaks with five hits and one walk, making five. Seth Martinez and Ryan Stanek left the board for Houston. Springer scored his fifth Homer of the season with the Blue Jays’ first at-bat in the game. He was the 46th first Homer in Springer’s nine-year career, tied with Jimmy Rollins for sixth place in Major League Baseball history. Former Blue Jays player Rickey Henderson is the all-time leading scorer at 81. “Every time you can get the first guy at the base of an inning is huge and allows kids to hit the way they want to hit,” Springer said. “You always like to lead 1-0 or whatever, but I think every time you can score or get to the first base to start an inning is huge.” Alvarez cut that lead in the fourth. Hitting the lead in the inning, he put a 2-1 field by Berríos in the dead center for his sixth of the season. Springer struck again in the third period, starting a 2-0 field in the center left with an out to give Toronto a 2-0 lead. The original plate empire Nic Lentz called on Vladimir Guerrero Jr to come close for the final of the fifth inning, with the big first Toronto player throwing his bat in anger. Montoyo immediately got off the boat to disagree with the call and was thrown out of the game for his efforts. “I was distracted by my MVP,” Montoyo said. “I’d rather watch the match from the office than watch Vlad from the office.” Romano defeated champion Chase McCormick to land Bo Bisset to start the ninth inning. Toronto then hit Niko Goodrum and, with the Rogers Center crowd at 40,732 at his feet, caused a flyout by Alex Bregman. LIVE BP – Left Hyun-Jin Ryu (forearm) Blue Jays did three sessions of live battery training on Saturday morning, facing Teoscar Hernández (sideways) while he was caught by Danny Jansen (sideways). Montoyo said all three looked good in the session. He added that Ryu and Hernández may need detox appearances with the triple-A Buffalo before returning to the Blue Jays lineup. SAUCED – Left-handed pitcher Tayler Saucedo has been named in the Blue Jays’ 10-day injured list ahead of Saturday’s game. He will undergo an MRI scan after he was pulled from Friday’s 11-7 defeat by Houston with discomfort in his right hip. Righty Bowden Francis was recalled from Buffalo to replace Saucedo, a day after he was sent to the triple-A club. Montoyo joked that Francis should return to Niagara Falls, but the pitcher confirmed that he had reached the Buffalo before he had to return to Toronto. LOOK FORWARD – Kevin Gausman (1-1) starts for the Blue Jays in Sunday’s game against Houston. Framber Valdez (1-1) will take the embankment for Astros. This Canadian Press report was first published on April 30, 2022.
