The Astros and Blue Jays needed extra innings to settle things Wednesday, and Toronto came out on top, 5-4 in ten, closing out the series win. That said, the Astros have still won 12 of their last 15 games and look like a completely different team.
Hunter Brown took the mound opposite Jameson Taillon, who was making his first start as a Blue Jay. Houston struck first in the third when Jose Altuve launched his 13th homer of the year, making it 1-0. Varsho followed with a single and stole his 10th base of the season, per MLB. Christian Walker then hit a double, and Daulton Varsho came around to score, making it 2-0. LaMonte Wade Jr. then singled to bring Walker home, and the Astros had some breathing room at 3-0.
Brown was dominant early, not allowing a hit through five innings while striking out seven and walking just one. Nick Allen made a great defensive play, a bare-handed grab that showed off some real athleticism to get the out.
But everything changed in the sixth. Hunter Brown gave up a two-run homer that tied the game and flipped the momentum right back to Toronto. Suddenly, the Astros' breathing room was completely gone.
A replay challenge went the Blue Jays' way shortly after, overturning a call to get Cam Smith out, killing a bit of the Astros' momentum.
The game stayed even into extra innings, and Ernie Clement delivered a two-run homer in the 10th to give Toronto its first lead of the entire game. Houston answered with one more run late, Yordan Alvarez had an RBI bringing Jeremy Peña home and went for a double but was thrown out at second. The Astros challenged that call too, but it was upheld, and manager Joe Espada was ejected arguing the ruling. They made it a one-run game, but it wasn't enough. Daulton Varsho stepped up to bat and popped one up, giving the Blue Jays the final out of the game. Final score, 5-4 Blue Jays.
The Astros will kick off a series against the San Diego Padres on Friday, this time on the road at Petco Park. They'll have a day to shake off this loss, but despite the setback, the Astros are playing good baseball lately. They seem to have found their rhythm and developed some real chemistry. If Jeremy Peña can turn things back up and Yordan Alvarez keeps doing what he's been doing all season, this upcoming series should be a winnable one for Houston.
