Kirk drives in go-ahead run in seventh, Bassitt works 8 innings as Blue Jays beat Astros 3-2

TORONTO — Pinch-hitter Alejandro Kirk singled within the go-ahead run within the seventh inning, Bo Bichette and Brandon Belt hit solo residence runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Houston Astros 3-2 Wednesday night time.

Chris Bassitt (7-4) gave up two runs and 4 hits with 5 strikeouts and no walks over eight innings in profitable consecutive begins. Jordan Romano earned his sixteenth save in 19 probabilities for the Blue Jays, who’ve gained 9 of 12.

Last Friday, after ready out a 91-minute rain delay, Bassitt pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings to beat the Mets in New York. He flew again to Toronto instantly afterward for the delivery of his second little one. Son Colson arrived Saturday night time.

“His last two outings have been phenomenal,” Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider mentioned.

Bassitt threw 81 pitches, 57 for strikes. Nine of his pitches got here on an inning-opening strikeout of Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez within the seventh.

“I had my sinker really working tonight,” Bassitt mentioned. “They were really aggressive on it. When I’m throwing it well and they’re swinging, it’s going to be a lot of quick outs.”

PHOTOS: Kirk drives in go-ahead run in seventh, Bassitt works 8 innings as Blue Jays beat Astros 3-2

Bassitt is 7-3 with a 2.40 ERA in his final 12 begins.

“He was on one,” Mauricio Dubón mentioned. “He’s been showing the league he’s one of the best in the game and we couldn’t come through.”

Dubón doubled on Romano’s first pitch of the ninth, however couldn’t advance on Jose Altuve’s grounder, or when Toronto middle fielder Kevin Kiermaier raced in to make a sliding catch on Alvarez’s sinking liner. Romano struck out Kyle Tucker to finish it.

“We just didn’t get it done,” Astros supervisor Dusty Baker mentioned. “Their guy made a great play in center field. That was a tough one to lose.”

The sport was performed beneath a closed roof at Rogers Centre on account of air high quality issues on account of wildfires in Ontario and Quebec. Air high quality issues are anticipated to proceed into Thursday, when the sequence concludes.

Daulton Varsho walked on a pitch clock violation to start the underside of the seventh after Astros reliever Hector Neris (3-2) was referred to as for an computerized ball with a 3-2 depend.

“A big one,” Baker mentioned. “That ended up being the winning run for them and the losing run for us.”

One out and one stroll later, Kirk hit for Tyler Heineman and delivered a tiebreaking single to middle, scoring Varsho from second base.

Houston had one other pitch clock violation within the second inning when José Abreu struck out after plate umpire Adam Beck dominated Abreu was not alert to the pitcher in time. Abreu received forward within the depend 3-1 and fouled off two pitches earlier than being rung up.

“That pitch clock got us twice tonight,” Baker mentioned.

Altuve returned after lacking the final 4 video games due to a sore proper indirect. He batted second behind Dubón.

Dubón began at shortstop alongside Grae Kessinger, who made his main league debut at third base as Baker gave Alex Bregman his first time without work this season.

Alvarez opened the scoring with a two-run residence run off Bassitt within the fourth, his seventeenth of the season. Toronto tied it with a pair of homers off Astros rookie right-hander Ronel Blanco.

Bichette hit a leadoff homer within the backside of the fourth, his thirteenth, and Belt tied it with a second-deck drive within the sixth, his fourth.

Making his second profession begin, Blanco allowed two runs and three hits in six innings. He walked 4 and struck out 5.

“He gave us a great chance,” Baker mentioned. “He just made two mistakes. Both of them were sliders, up and out over the plate.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Blue Jays: 3B Matt Chapman returned to the beginning lineup. He sat Tuesday after having an ingrown toenail eliminated.

PINCH PERFORMANCE

Kirk has 4 RBI as a pinch hitter this season, essentially the most by any Blue Jays batter in a single season since Rowdy Tellez had 4 in 2019.

DREAM DENIED

Baker acknowledged that it was tough to persuade Bregman to take a relaxation.

“He never wants a day off,” Baker mentioned. “He said his dream is to play 162 games. I say ‘Keep on dreaming.’”

UP NEXT

José Berríos (5-4, 3.66) begins for the Blue Jays in Thursday’s sequence finale in opposition to Astros LHP Framber Valdez (6-4, 2.16).