The Blue Jays had the power game going, smashing three home runs and riding an eight strikeout performance from Marcus Stroman and some stellar glovework to a comfortable 9-2 victory over the Houston Astros.
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Mike Fiers hands the ball over to manager A.J. Hinch after he gave up back-to-back home runs to the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, in Toronto.
Stroman continued to pitch effectively until allowing a Jason Castro solo home run in the top of the 7th.
The big right-hander, a two-time Cy Young Award victor, was either the best, or second-best pitcher in team history, depending on how one feels about Dave Stieb, but never made the playoffs during his dozen seasons in Toronto, despite going 148-76 with a 3.43 ERA.
“I’ve been feeling good lately”, he said.
The Blue Jays won their second straight series, beating the Astros 9-2 in the rubber match on Sunday afternoon.. He is coming off a 4 1/3-inning no-decision against the Rays on Monday in which he allowed six hits, three walks and four runs in a 7-5 Toronto win.
Martin showed off his defensive game in the seventh, leaning into the Astros dugout to grab an Alex Bregman foul ball for the second out of the inning.
The Houston Astros haven’t been giving Collin McHugh much run support in recent starts. He stayed in game the game to run the bases before being replaced by Tyler White at first base in the bottom of the second.
“He’ll sacrifice his body, he’s going to do anything it takes to win and he’s a guy that can pull out big plays at the right time, acrobatic plays”, said manager John Gibbons.
“All those guys were unbelievable and this year’s story is the story of our pitching”, he said, knowing full well that when the story of the 2016 Blue Jays season is finally written, he’d just provided a signature moment.
With his pitch count at 95, Hinch chose to go to the bullpen and opted for rookie reliever Jams Hoyt.
Fiers has surrendered five home runs in his past two outings. The over is also 6-1 in Edding’s last seven games behind home plate when he’s calling Toronto games and has cashed in four of his last five games behind home plate overall. “It felt good for sure”.
American League batting leader Jose Altuve went 0-for-4 and failed to reach safely for the first time in 44 road games.
Astros: Altuve started at DH with Marwin Gonzalez at 2B. “A couple of swings and the game is changed”.
Roy Halladay can’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy when he scans the star-laden Blue Jays lineup these days. The Tulowitzki home run gave the Blue Jays 4 players with 20 or more home runs, and the Martin shot gave them 8 players with 10 or more. Corey Koskie (25) and Justin Morneau (19) did it in 2004 for the Minnesota Twins.
The Astros also will probably again be without outfielder Jake Marisnick who missed his third straight game with a right groin strain.
Cuban infielder Yulieski Gurriel, who signed a five-year, $47.5 million deal with Houston on July 16, is expected to make his major league debut against St. Louis on Tuesday. Keuchel pitched a three-hitter against Texas on August 5.
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Toronto RHP R.A. Dickey (8-12, 4.61 ERA) will start the opener of a three-game series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Monday. In 21 career games, including 15 starts, he is 7-5 with a 2.76 ERA against the Yankees. He made the catch reaching over the barrier in front of the Houston dugout. NOTES: Blue Jays 2B Devon Travis was 0-for-4 Saturday to end an eight-game hitting streak.
