TORONTO _ Dylan Bundy returned to form with one of his best starts of the season and a rested Orioles bullpen handled their part of a tense but deserved 4-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays before 20,530 fans Friday at Rogers Centre.
Staked to a 2-0 lead in the second inning by a Chris Davis home run and a single by Jonathan Villar, a well-rested Bundy was totally in control against the Blue Jays, scattering two hits and walking two while striking out six before a two-out home run in the seventh inning by Brandon Drury spoiled his shutout and called for the Orioles' bullpen.
That Bundy had his fifth quality start in 16 tries, and first since June 9, was no small consolation. The effort was preserved by a scoreless inning of relief by Richard Bleier, a big out from Miguel Castro against star rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and a clean ninth inning from Paul Fry.
Fry's work was made easier by a two-run Orioles ninth, with Davis scoring two with a single after a successful sacrifice bunt by Anthony Santander set the table for him.
When Davis was at his best, Rogers Centre was a home run haven for him, and Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez was a frequent target. Neither had really been the case since 2017, but Davis reprised his old ways for a home run to open the Orioles' two-run second inning.
It was his seventh of the season, and second in three games, though his home run Tuesday broke a streak of 27 straight games without a home run dating back to May 12.
Friday's was Davis' fifth home run off Sanchez, and his 20th in Toronto.
Villar had two hits and an RBI to help the Orioles' cause, but had the quintessential all-action inning after his fifth-inning single to center field.
The Orioles' envelope-pushing second baseman took a wide turn around first base, drawing a throw back to the bag that hit off his foot as he slid in and scooted past, allowing Villar to go to second.
While there, he took a particularly hard tag to the right hand on a pickoff attempt and spent several minutes nursing that, but once he was able, promptly stole third. However, his aggression off third led to an unconventional double play when Trey Mancini lined out to shortstop and Villar couldn't get back in time.
