ASTROS GAMER: Houston wins late in the game to beat Toronto

The Houston Astros defeated the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night at Rogers Centre. The win continues the Astros’ winning streak in recent weeks and improves their record to 44-42.

HOW DID IT HAPPEN:

The Blue Jays have chosen Yusei Kikuchi to take the mound this season. He has been inconsistent this season, but he started this outing strong. He worked a 1-2-3 at first.

The Astros responded with Ronel Blanco, who has been one of the big surprises in the major leagues this season. Blanco allowed a couple of runners early in the game. Then Bo Bichette scored the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly. That made it 1-0 Toronto after one game.

Both pitchers managed to score runs in the second inning. In the third inning, the Astros found their way onto the scoreboard. With two runners on base, Yordan Alvarez hit a double to score a run and tie the game at one.

Both pitchers settled in nicely at that point. No runs were scored in the fourth or fifth innings. In the sixth, Alvarez hit a solo home run to give Houston a 2-1 lead. It was his 19th of the season, making him the person responsible for both of the Astros’ runs to that point.

In the bottom of the sixth, Blanco ran into some trouble. Bichette hit a two-out double, ending Ronel’s outing with a runner still on his plate. Daulton Varsho then hit a tying RBI single to make it 2-all.

To start the seventh inning, the Astros got a leadoff runner on a Blue Jays error. A double by Jon Singleton and a single by Jose Altuve gave Houston a 3-2 lead. Then Yainer Diaz hit a two-run single to extend the lead. Finally, back-to-back hits forced in another run and the Stros left the seventh with a 6-2 lead.

In the top of the eighth, Houston extended its lead again. Two walks allowed Alvarez to continue his monstrous day, this time with an RBI double. Diaz followed with another RBI single, and the lead was 8-2. An RBI hit made it 9-2 in the bottom of the inning.

In the late innings, Houston’s bullpen did its job and wrapped up the 9-2 victory.

LARGE NUMBER: 7

The Astros scored seven runs in the seventh inning and beyond. That continues a shift, as they struggled in the late innings earlier this season. That late surge helped them pull out another win.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Yordan Alvarez

Alvarez had a breakout night, despite an injury. He stayed in the game, and the Astros are thrilled he did. Two doubles, a home run and three RBIs helped pace the offense in the win.

UP NEXT: The Astros and Blue Jays will wrap up their series with a day game tomorrow, July 4, at 12:07 p.m. You can catch the action on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles.