Jays feast off familiar name in T.O.

John Farrell didn't make a ton of fans here in Toronto in his two years as manager, but son Luke managed to make the Farrell name popular again, if only for a short time Sunday.

Luke Farrell, son of John, was the Minnesota Twins starter Sunday as the Blue Jays erupted in a 27-minute bottom of the first inning to score five runs on seven hits.

Toronto went on to a 5-3 victory, their 15th win in 18 September games.

Farrell has been pitching in the majors since 2017 but this was his first appearance against Toronto and the timing couldn't have been better for the home side.

After he got George Springer swinging for the first out of the game, Farrell proceeded to make his surname wildly popular among Jays fans, at least those who don't carry a long grudge.

The next seven Jays went double, single, homer, single, single, single, single, fielder's choice before Farrell ended the early onslaught getting Springer to fly out to centre.

Making that five-run outbreak in the first inning stand up was former Twins starter Jose Berrios, who came over to the Jays at the trade deadline.

It was the first time Berrios had faced his former team, still full of many of his best friends in the game, and while it was uncomfortable from that standpoint, Berrios made it look rather easy.

“I felt like I was playing back in Puerto Rico, in my backyard, playing with a lot of friends that I've known for a long time,” Berrios said. “But this is your work. We know we have to be professional and do what we have to do.”

Berrios went 6 2/3, allowing three runs on four hits before he was picked up by Trevor Richards.

Jordan Romano picked up his 19th save with a tidy ninth interrupted only by a hit batsman.

The big hit for Toronto came from Bo Bichette, who has now connected for 26 home runs this season.

“The one thing about Bo is when he starts hitting foul balls to right field, that means he's staying behind the ball and seeing it deep and when he does that, look out,” Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. “That's what he is doing now. He's having great at bats and of course right behind Vladdy so there's always going to be someone on base.”

Guerrero reached base via base hit or double in three of his four appearances. Guerrero is now hitting .321 for the year with those league-leading 46 home runs.

“I'm just trying to use my hands, to be more quick now,” Guerrero said through an interpreter.

Suffice to say, the approach is working. For the month of September, Guerrero is hitting .358 with seven homers.