Yordan Alvarez hit a two-run home run, Jeremy Pena added a solo shot and the visiting Houston Astros defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Monday afternoon.
Alex Bregman had two hits for the Astros, who have won 10 of their past 11 and are 3-1 to open a 10-game road trip.
Ernie Clement hit a solo homer on Canada Day for the Blue Jays, who are 2-3 on their eight-game homestand.
Houston right-hander Hunter Brown (6-5) allowed no runs, two hits and three walks with five strikeouts in six innings.
Toronto right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (0-3) allowed one run, two hits and two walks while striking out six in 6 2/3 innings. It was his longest outing of the season.
Rodriguez retired his first 14 batters he faced before Pena hit a blast to left on a first-pitch curve with two outs in the fifth inning for his sixth home run of the season.
Brown was in control when Clement blooped a single to right with one out in the bottom of the fifth. Bo Bichette walked with two outs before the inning ended on Spencer Horwitz’s flyout to right.
Rodriguez allowed a leadoff walk in the seventh that was erased by a double-play grounder. Jon Singleton then walked with two outs. Trevor Richards replaced Rodiguez and ended the inning with a groundout.
Bryan Abreu walked pinch hitter Addison Barger to open the home eighth. Horwitz doubled with one out to put runners at second and third. Justin Turner was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The threat ended on a lineout and a groundout.
Bregman singled and Alvarez hit his 17th homer of the season against Zach Pop in the top of the ninth to give the Astros a 3-0 lead.
Josh Hader allowed Clement’s fourth homer of the season in the bottom of the ninth but regrouped to pick up his 13th save.
Houston’s Yainer Diaz was 0-for-4 to end a 10-game hit streak.
Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was scratched Monday after being hit by a pitch on the hand on Sunday. Infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa (knee) was a late scratch.
Toronto put catcher Danny Jansen on the paternity list Monday and recalled Brian Serven from Triple-A Buffalo.
Houston second baseman Jose Altuve had a scheduled day off.
–Field Level Media
