Gausman strikes out 13, Springer, Varsho, Bichette homer to help Jays top Astros
Pitcher reaches double digits in strikeouts major-league best 6 times this season
Kevin Gausman's strong seven-inning outing Tuesday night came at the perfect time for the Toronto Blue Jays and their overworked bullpen.
He tied a career-high with 13 strikeouts in a 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros.
"It's workmanlike, it's professional, he's one of the best pitchers in the game," said Blue Jays manager John Schneider.
Gausman (5-3) allowed one earned run and four hits. His performance came a day after the Toronto relievers were taxed heavily when starter Alek Manoah lasted one-third of an inning in an 11-4 series-opening loss.
"A lot of times a day like yesterday can put you in a little bit of a bind for a couple days," Schneider said. "I think what Kev did tonight kind of reset us a little bit."
The hit-streak reaches ten!<br><br>Here comes <a href="https://twitter.com/DaultonVarsho25?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DaultonVarsho25</a> 👀 <a href="https://t.co/dPw5Iwgnpi">pic.twitter.com/dPw5Iwgnpi</a>
—@BlueJaysManoah was sent down to the Florida Complex League on Tuesday afternoon.
Gausman didn't walk a batter in his 101-pitch outing and reached double digits in strikeouts for a major-league best sixth time this season.
"No walks is more important to me than the 13 strikeouts," he said. "I'm just out there trying to make good pitches. I made a lot of good pitches with two strikes."
Mauricio Dubon homered for the Astros (36-25), who lost for the fourth time in their last 12 games. Houston starter Hunter Brown (5-3) gave up three earned runs and three hits over six innings.
Dubon turned on Gausman's second pitch of the game for his first career leadoff home run.
The lead held until Springer's two-run shot in the third inning. His ninth homer of the year barely cleared the wall in left-centre field.
Opp-Bo Taco Tuesday 🌮 <a href="https://t.co/ZJIPTtTBkz">pic.twitter.com/ZJIPTtTBkz</a>
—@BlueJaysVarsho made it a two-run advantage in the fourth with a solo shot that needed a crew chief review to be confirmed.
A replay showed the ball hit a railing behind the fence and bounced back into the field of play. It was Varsho's 11th homer of the season.
"We're able to play small ball and we're also able to play long ball," Varsho said. "Obviously we have a lot of guys that can do that and obviously we're going to score a lot of runs that way."
Whit Merrifield added an RBI double that plated Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with another insurance run.
Announced attendance was 30,079 and the game took two hours 23 minutes to play.
