All streaks must eventually come to an end. Blue Jays 3 Astros 1 For Houston, their 6-game run might be history, but a new chapter has officially begun. A few hours prior to Monday’s trade deadline, Houston would acquire Daulton Varsho in an effort to shore up their outfield production. Varsho would seize the moment, paying immediate dividends in the first inning. In some ways, it was only fitting that Nathan Lukes would start the night flying out to Daulton, and then in his Astros debut at the plate,
he’d reach on a single to right field.
In the top of the second, Alejandro Kirk started the scoring with a solo shot to left field. That made the score 1-0. In the fourth, Toronto would increase their lead after a pair of hits from Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer, combined with an error from Taylor Trammell. That combination of events made things 3-0.
Houston would have their chances early but failed to capitalize. In their first and second innings they’d have multiple runners on base, but Christian Walker and Jeremy Pena each struck out swinging, stranding a pair of runners.
Cristian Javier would provide a quality start. Javier would go 6 innings and allow just 3 runs while scattering 7 hits. In the 7th inning, Tatsuya Imai would make his debut out of the bullpen and pitch three scoreless innings, at one point, striking out five in a row for an impressive relief outing.
In the bottom of the 6th, Houston would load the bases. They’d score their first and only run on Jeremy Pena’s RBI single which brought in Yanier Diaz. In the frame, Yordan Alvarez would be intentionally walked for the 23rd time this season. The Astros all-time record is 27 free passes, which Jeff Bagwell registered back in 1997.
Tyler Rogers would come on for Toronto to close things out.
Odds & Ends:
Daulton Varsho is now wearing #18. He joins some of the great names in team history; Joe Morgan, Art Howe & Moises Alou to name a few.
Jeremy Pena now has a 15-game hitting streak.
Hayden Wesneski will make his second start since returning from Tommy John’s surgery on Tuesday. First pitch is once again scheduled for 7:10pm CDT.
