Chris Bassitt had a rough go at it against the Houston Astros, as the Toronto Blue Jays lost the series in a 5-3 defeat, with all hopes of making it to the playoffs arguably gone.
The Astros started the game firing on all cylinders, as three straight batters reached base on two singles and a walk. Funny enough, the first run of the game wasn’t scored on a hit, but rather a groundout RBI from Yainer Diaz, making it 1-0 Houston.
Jon Singleton came in clutch for his team, hitting a two-run single into centrefield, giving Houston a quick 3-0 lead.
Unlike most games on the year, Toronto would answer with their own runs in the bottom of the first. Spencer Horwitz, who wasn’t originally in the lineup, drove in two runs, cutting Houston’s lead to 1. Horwitz collected another two hits today, batting over .300, with a .921 OPS.
Originally, Bo Bichette was going to start at shortstop in today’s game, but was scratched with a right forearm contusion, according to the Blue Jays.
Leo Jimenez, Toronto’s #5 prospect, made his MLB debut today starting at shortstop, going 0-1 with a walk, before being taken out in the seventh for a pinch hitter.
Toronto would tie the game thanks to Alejandro Kirk hitting a double, and just like that, the game was once again tied in the first.
The three runs in the first would be all that Toronto would score, missing multiple chances to tie or win the game, including leaving two runners reaching with no outs in the sixth, and Daulton Varsho sliding off the base trying to steal 2nd base in the seventh.
Over 6.0 inning, Astros SP Framber Valdez allowed 11 base runners between giving up nine hits and 2 walks, yet only gave up the three earned runs. Valdez has allowed 9 hits or more in both of his last two starts, surrendering nine earned runs in that span.
Despite Bassitt allowing runners on base in the third and fourth innings, the RHP was able to pitch around the situation, until the fifth inning that is.
Mauricio Dubón hit the game-winning run, getting jammed on a ball off the zone and dunking it into the outfield.
In 5.0 innings, Bassitt allowed four earned runs on eight hits and three walks. Bassit hasn’t allowed four or more earned runs since April 26th against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Jeremy Peña would add insult to injury for Toronto, hitting a low changeup he was out in front off Trevor Richards out near the foul netting for a solo shot, making it 5-3 Houston, the final result.
Now with a 39-48 record, Toronto could be 9.0 games back of the final Wild Card spot after today, depending on if the Kansas City Royals win.
While Toronto suffered another tough series loss, the Houston Astros are closing in on the Seattle Marines for the American League West division title, going 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Speaking of the Mariners, Toronto will head to Seattle tomorrow night, starting a nine-game road trip, all on the West Coast, facing the Mariners, San Francisco Giants, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
