HOUSTON — In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday, Ernie Clement’s two-run home run in the 10th inning propelled the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros.
Event Context
As the game headed into the 10th inning tied at 3-3, the Blue Jays took advantage of the automatic runner on second base when Clement hit a powerful home run off Bennett Sousa, giving Toronto a 4-3 lead.
Yordan Alvarez kicked off Houston’s 10th with a base hit that drove in the automatic runner, narrowing the deficit to 5-4. However, he was caught attempting to extend his single into a double.
The Astros challenged the out call, but it was upheld, leading to the ejection of manager Joe Espada for contesting the ruling.
Chase Lee then shut down Jose Altuve and Daulton Varsho to seal the game and earn his first save. Louis Varland recorded the win after striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.
In a crucial moment earlier in the game, Jesús Sánchez’s two-run homer in the sixth tied the score and contributed to Toronto’s series victory, securing two wins out of three. Altuve had earlier provided the Astros with their own boost, hitting a solo homer, while the team finished 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Astros pitcher Hunter Brown had a solid outing, giving up three hits and three runs over six innings. Notably, he did not allow a hit until Myles Straw delivered a double with one out in the sixth, which set up Kazuma Okamoto’s two-out single to reduce the lead to 3-1. Sánchez’s subsequent home run leveled the score.
Making his debut for Toronto after being traded from the Cubs, Jameson Taillon allowed six hits and three runs in four innings of work.
Altuve got the Astros off to a hot start, hitting his shot to left field with one out in the third inning. After Varsho’s single, he stole second and scored off a two-out double from Christian Walker, followed by LaMonte Wade Jr.’s RBI single, expanding the lead to 3-0.
Looking ahead, RHP Dylan Cease will take the mound for Toronto against David Peterson as the Blue Jays head to Chicago on Thursday to reschedule a June 21 game postponed due to weather. Meanwhile, the Astros will have a day off before starting a series against the San Diego Padres on Friday night.
