Blue Jays waste another solid Borucki start
TORONTO — Ryan Borucki wasn’t too worried after once again missing out on his first major league win.
The 24-year-old rookie is confident that milestone will come soon enough, especially if he continues to pitch the way he did Tuesday night.
Borucki allowed two runs (both unearned) and six hits and struck out two batters over six innings as the Blue Jays fell 5-0 to the Minnesota Twins.
It was the second time he’d received zero run support in five career starts.
“It’s going to happen sooner or later, hopefully,” Borucki said when asked if he was getting anxious over his winless record.
“As long as I keep doing what I’m doing, keep pitching and trying to keep this team in games as long as I can — it’s going to come. It’s that simple.”
Jose Berrios pitched seven shutout innings for his 10th win of the season and Eduardo Escobar hit a three-run homer to lead Minnesota to its second win over the Blue Jays in as many nights.
Berrios (10-7) allowed four hits, walked one and struck out nine in a 102-pitch performance before relievers Trevor Hildenberger and Ryan Pressly stepped in to keep the shutout intact.
Borucki (0-2) matched Berrios nearly every step of the way, producing his fourth quality starts in five outings and not walking a batter for the second time this season.
A fielding error did him in in the sixth as the Twins (46-53) scored twice after Teoscar Hernandez flubbed a fly ball from Joe Mauer to lead off the frame. Brian Dozier drove in Mauer with a sac fly and Escobar and Robbie Grossman followed with back-toback doubles to extend the lead to 2-0.
Manager John Gibbons called the Hernandez error “costly.”
But Borucki didn’t place any blame on his teammate’s shoulders.
“He makes plays all the time, I’ve seen him make numerous plays, unbelievable plays,” Borucki said. “It happens, it’s baseball — everyone makes mistakes.
“I made two mistakes today that cost us two runs. Stuff like that happens.”
Borucki had dominated early, retiring the first 10 batters he faced — to the delight of the 31,933 in attendance — before allowing back-to-back base hits with one out in the fourth. He worked out of that jam with two quick outs.
Yankees deal for Britton
BALTIMORE — The Yankees have acquired left-hander Zach Britton from the rebuilding Baltimore Orioles for three prospects, a deal that will bolster New York’s bullpen for the stretch run.
Right-hander Dillon Tate is going to the Orioles along with left-hander Josh Rogers and righthander Cody Carroll.
The 30-year-old Britton will serve as a setup man for closer Aroldis Chapman.
He began the season on the disabled list after tearing his right Achilles tendon in December. He made his debut on June 12 and has appeared in 16 games, going 1-0 with a 3.45 ERA and four saves.
In 2016, Britton was exceptional, going 2-1 with a 0.54 ERA and 47 saves in 47 chances.