Blue Jays beat Twins 4-3

Just a few months ago, right-hander Chad Jenkins was pitching for double-A New Hampshire and his confidence was taking a hit.

He had three poor starts in a row in early July but was able to turn things around and the Blue Jays called him up a month later. His hard work paid off Tuesday when he earned his first major-league victory in Toronto’s 4-3 win over Minnesota.

“There were parts of this year where I honestly wasn’t sure whether I was going to get here,” Jenkins said. “But fortunately the Blue Jays gave me a chance and now I’m just trying to run with it.”

Jenkins (1-3) was solid over five-plus innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs in his third major-league start. Pitching on three days rest, he threw 48-of-74 pitches for strikes.

“Going out tonight and getting that win, that’s huge for the confidence going into the off-season,” he said.

Kelly Johnson hit a two-run homer off Twins starter Anthony Swarzak (3-6) as Minnesota (66-95) dropped its fourth straight game. Casey Janssen worked the ninth for his 22nd save in 25 opportunities.

The Twins are last in the American League Central division while Toronto (72-89) is fourth in the East.

Jenkins, 24, was selected by the Blue Jays in the first round (No. 20 overall) of the 2009 draft. The six-foot-four 235-pounder made 10 relief appearances for Toronto before getting starts against Tampa Bay and New York.

“He’s a guy that’s come up and hasn’t been intimidated by the environment at the major-league level and has been very effective,” said Jays manager John Farrell. “Even when he was in the bullpen, he’s been efficient and he’s done a solid job in the time he’s been here.”

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Jenkins had some late finish on the ball.

“You can see the ball OK off him but with that late jump we didn’t square him up too many times,” he said. “Nice looking kid.”

Some of Toronto’s other youngsters helped the Blue Jays get on the board in the third inning.

Second baseman Adeiny Hechavarria doubled and moved to third on a groundout by Moises Sierra. After an Anthony Gose walk, Rajai Davis singled to push Hechavarria across with the game’s first run.

Johnson followed an inning later with his 16th homer of the season. The Blue Jays added another run in the fifth when Gose scored from third on a Yunel Escobar single.

Jenkins, who will finish the season with a 4.50 earned-run average, gave up a two-run homer to Denard Span in the sixth inning.

The Twins made it a one-run game in the seventh inning when Alexi Casilla doubled to score Trevor Plouffe.

Swarzak allowed five hits and four earned runs over five innings. He walked three batters and had two strikeouts.

Minnesota had 10 hits on the night.