close
close

Springer hits three-run homer, Horwitz adds solo homer, and Blue Jays hold on to beat Astros 7-6

TORONTO — George Springer hit a three-run homer against his former team, Spencer Horwitz added a solo homer and the Toronto Blue Jays held on to beat the Houston Astros 7-6 on Tuesday night.

Yordan Alvarez hit a home run and scored twice as Houston nearly came back from a 7-0 deficit, but the Astros lost for just the second time in their last 12 games.

José Berríos (8-6) pitched five innings to win back-to-back starts for the first time since a three-game winning streak from April 8-20. The right-hander allowed five runs and five hits.

Chad Green pitched around Jemery Peña’s double in the top of the ninth inning for his third save in three chances.

Houston’s Jose Altuve had three hits but hit a fly ball to center field to end the game.

Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 1 for 3 with a walk and scored twice in his return to the lineup after being sidelined in Monday’s loss. Guerrero was hit in the fingers by a 96 mph fastball from Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole on Sunday.

Toronto’s Justin Turner opened the scoring with a two-out single off Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti in the first inning, and the Blue Jays used two homers to add four more runs with a two-out rally in the third.

Horwitz hit a home run over the second-floor leadoff spot in right field, and Guerrero followed with a double. Turner drew a walk before Springer hit a home run into Toronto’s left-field bullpen.

Springer’s home run was his fourth in seven games.

Blue Jays rookie Addison Barger hit an RBI double in the fourth inning and Alejandro Kirk scored on a passed ball by Houston’s Cesar Salazar.

Arrighetti (4-7) allowed seven runs, six earned and six hits in four innings.

The Astros chased Berrios with a five-run fifth. Salazar and Altuve hit singles and Alvarez hit a three-run home run.

Houston sent IF/OF Cooper Hummel to Triple-A Sugar Land and recalled INF Grae Kessinger.

Astros: Right-handed pitcher JP France underwent surgery on his right shoulder Monday and will miss the remainder of the season, the team said.

Blue Jays: Toronto placed infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa (left knee strain) on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday, and recalled infielder Leo Jimenez from Triple-A Buffalo. Manager John Schneider said Kiner-Falefa will need more than 10 days to recover and called it “week to week.”

Astros right-handed pitcher Ronel Blanco (8-3, 2.49 ERA), who gave up no hits for the Blue Jays in April, is expected to start Wednesday night against Toronto left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (4-8, 4.18 ERA).

AP Major League Baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb