Ryu throws six scoreless innings as Blue Jays top Reds

TORONTO — George Springer and Bo Bichette each drove in a run as the Toronto Blue Jays held on for a 2-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

Santiago Espinal stretched his career-best hit streak to 13 games for Toronto (21-18), but Vladimir Guerrero Jr., saw his end at 15.

Hyun Jin Ryu (1-0) gave up six hits and struck out three over six innings of scoreless work to lower his earned-run average from 9.00 to 6.00.

Ryan Borucki, Adam Cimber, Yimi Garcia and Jordan Romano came out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays.

Romano, from Markham, Ont., earned his 13th save of the season.

Matt Reynolds had an RBI single for Cincinnati (11-27).

Luis Castillo (0-2) had five strikeouts but allowed two runs on seven hits over six innings. Hunter Strickland and Art Warren combined for three innings of scoreless relief.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto, who grew up in Toronto's west end, got a warm ovation from the 29,300 in attendance when he led off the second inning. He returned to Cincinnati's lineup in time for Friday's game after spending more than two weeks on the COVID-19 injured list.

Espinal was moved up to fifth in the Blue Jays' batting order by manager Charlie Montoyo for the game. Montoyo had said it was a credit to Espinal's consistent production during his hit streak.

Espinal rewarded Montoyo's faith in the fourth inning with an infield hit to Castillo, which the Toronto second baseman legged out for a single.

Springer broke the scoreless tie in the fifth inning, stroking a single past a diving Reynolds at second base. The basehit scored Bradley Zimmer, who had doubled in the previous at-bat.

Bichette followed that up with a double down the left-field line, bringing Springer home from first for a 2-0 Toronto lead.

The Reds