George Springer, Bo Bichette back up Hyun Jin Ryu’s strong start as Blue Jays edge Reds 2-1

Hyun Jin Ryu added some speed to his throws and that led to his first win of the season.

Ryu allowed six hits, including five doubles, but did not allow a run in six innings as the Toronto Blue Jays held on to beat the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 on Friday. His four-seam fastball topped 92.9 mph in the win, with over 91 mph. four other times in the game, well above his 90 average.

“As a guy who can control his changeup and fastball, (speed) is how I can attack hitters,” Ryu said through a translator. “If I can continue like this, I think it will continue to grow.”

Ryu allowed six runs over 3 1/3 innings in his first start of the season on April 10, then five runs over four innings on April 16. He showed improvement on May 14 when he allowed just one in 4 2/3, an eventual 5-1 win for Toronto at Tampa Bay. Friday’s victory lowered his earned run average from 9.00 to 6.00.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Ryu’s increased speed helped him in his last two starts.

“When he throws 90, 91, that fastball explodes more in the zone and is harder to hit,” Montoyo said. “Then, of course, the key has been throwing his breaking balls for strikes to keep hitters off balance.”

George Springer and Bo Bichette each drove in a run to support Ryu’s performance.

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

Ryan Borucki, Adam Cimber, Yimi Garcia and Jordan Romano all came out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays. Romano, from Markham, Ontario, recorded his 13th save of the season.

Matt Reynolds hit an RBI single for Cincinnati (11-27). Luis Castillo (0-2) struck out five but allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings. Hunter Strickland and Art Warren combined for two scoreless innings of relief.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto, who grew up in Toronto’s west end, received a standing ovation from the 29,300 in attendance at Rogers Center as he led off the second inning.

“It meant a lot,” said Votto, who returned to the Cincinnati lineup after spending more than two weeks on the COVID-19 disabled list. “You never expect that and if you make the mistake of spending too much time with it, they will quickly close it and then tell you where to put it.

“It was great, it meant a lot. Thanks to them.”

Montoyo moved Espinal up to fifth in the Blue Jays batting order for the game.

Espinal rewarded Montoyo’s faith in the fourth inning with an infield hit to Castillo, which the Toronto second baseman singled out of the leg. He would add another single in the eighth.

“We’ve been talking about our offense not hitting, but he’s the guy who’s been consistent, a guy who’s had good at-bats all the time,” Montoyo said.

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

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

The Reds responded in the seventh, putting runners on the corners. Reynolds came to the plate with two outs, putting in a single just over the head of Espinal who was jumping to score Mike Moustakas.

Cimber was on the mound for the play, but the run was charged to Borucki, who had put Moustakas on when he hit him with a pitch to start the inning.

Romano entered the ninth to close out the game, his first appearance since May 14 when he overcame a gastrointestinal infection. He induced two ground balls and a pop fly to earn the save.

MAYZA NEAR RETURN – Left-handed reliever Tim Mayza will pitch on Sunday or Monday as he works to return to Toronto’s bullpen. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 16 retroactive to May 15 with forearm swelling.

RATED R FOR RESTRICTED: Four Reds players were placed on Cincinnati’s restricted list on Friday due to their COVID-19 vaccination status. Former Blue Jays infielder Brandon Drury, outfielder Albert Almora, as well as pitchers Joel Kuhnel and Tyler Mahle will miss the series in Toronto.

COMING UP: Alek Manoah will take his 4-1 record to the mound for the Blue Jays in Saturday’s matinee against Cincinnati. The Reds fight back with Hunter Greene (1-6).

This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating cable service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.