Chapman's two homers lift Blue Jays to key win over Orioles

TORONTO — Matt Chapman feels that he's put the ups and downs of his season behind him. At least, for one night.

Chapman had a solo home run and a two-run homer to lift the Toronto Blue Jays over the Baltimore Orioles 6-3 on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. The two dingers snapped a 25-game drought for the Toronto third baseman that dated back to Aug. 20.

"To be able to have a game tonight where I felt like I was in control, able to find the barrel consistently, is a good sign," said Chapman. "And we've got our most important baseball left to play.

"For me to be able to take good at bats and help this team is huge."

The three-game series against the Orioles could be pivotal for the Blue Jays' post-season hopes. Baltimore is chasing Toronto, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Seattle Mariners for one of the American League's three wild-card spots.

Friday's win in the series opener put Baltimore six games back of the Blue Jays in the standings and 4 1/2 back of Tampa Bay.

"Any opportunity we can get to gain a game, separating ourselves from Baltimore or putting the pressure on the teams that are right there in the mix with us is huge," said Chapman. "The series is definitely important because if we keep taking care of business it just gives us more space."

George Springer's three-run homer broke the game open for Toronto (82-63) and Bo Bichette extended his hit streak to nine games.

Interim Blue Jays manager John Schneider was forced to make Friday a bullpen game as Toronto played six games in five days. That plan was complicated when Trevor Richards gave up five runs on 29 pitches in just 2/3 of an inning in the Blue Jays' 11-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.

Richards, who served as the so-called opener for