By: Adam El-Zein

It was a fresh start for the Blue Jays. They returned home after a not-so-good 4-6 road trip to kick off the season. They looked a lot better in last nights matchup against the Mariners. Playing their first game at the newly renovated Rogers Centre may have given them that extra gear.

A Slow Start

First pitch was a -half-hour later due to the opening ceremony along with player intros. Making his eighth career start against the Mariners, Berríos was on one from the jump. He only gave up a single in his first four innings, clearing the opening frame.

Luis Castillo (0-3) for the Mariners answers in the bottom of the first. He handles business quickly, not even giving up a single.

Berríos back at the pitch at the top of second. He gets out of their quick though, sending two big-time strikeouts, keeping this game scoreless.

The Jays at bat in the second, and Justin Turner hits a bomb that almost goes all the way. He picks up his fifth double of the season.

Alejandro Kirk then sends it left and low, getting Turner home and giving himself a single. Kirk now 3/3 against Castillo, including a home run. Jays take a 1-0 leading.

Things Picking Up

At the bottom of the third, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gets himself a single from a low bouncing hit. Bo Bichette follows, launching a rocket to right-center field. He picks up a double, sending Vladdy to third.

Turner takes a walk, and that loads things up for Davis Schneider, who pokes his 3rd swing center. Vladdy and Bichette able to get home. Turner slides into third, and Schneider making it to second. Jays lead now up to 3-0.

Now to the bottom of the fourth, Vladdy hits a double and sends Kiermaier home. Kiermaier giving the Jays an early 4-0 lead, after swiping second base, and running it home with help from Guerrero.

At the top of the fifth, things still not going the Mariners’ way. With second and third base filled, Berríos handles business and shows why he gets the home opener start. It’s still 4-0 Jays.

Shades of Last Season

It was a sellout crowd at Rogers Centre. Yet, it appears the crowd isn’t ready to move past the team’s decision to take José Berríos (2-0) out of last year’s wild-card game.

In Monday’s matchup against the Mariners, the arena let them hear it. With Toronto up 4-0, having two out in the seventh inning, Berríos came out the game and Yimi Garcia went in.

Reminiscent of last years controversial decision against the Twins, Jays fans clearly still not over what they thought was a key component in them dropping last season’s final wild-card game.

Shutting-out the noise, Berríos shined in Monday’s matchup, finishing the game with six strikeouts.

Taking Care of Home Field

The Mariners didn’t score until the top of the eighth. Of course, that’s when the Jays took Berríos out and put Garcia in at the pitch. J.P. Crawford steps up and rips a deep one right field, getting the Mariners on the board with his second homer of the season. That takes it to a 4-1 ball game with the Jays still in front.

At the bottom of the eighth, Isiah Kiner-Falefa for Jays steps up to bat. He sends is deep, picking up a 2-out single. That gives him his first RBI of the season.

To finish the game the Jays put in Chad Green, and at the top of the ninth, Cal Raleigh steps up at bat. Raleigh rips a homer deep right field just like his teammate Crawford did.

Green strikes out Josh Rojas, and that finishes the game.

Jays win 5-2.