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 of the game 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 out before the inning ended on Spencer Horwitz's fly to right. Rodriguez allowed a leadoff walk in the seventh that was erased by a double-play grounder. That followed a walk to Jon Singleton, and Trevor Richards replaced Rodiguez. 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. Josh Hader allowed Clement's fourth homer of the season in the bottom of ninth in picking up his 13th save. Houston's Yainer Diaz was 0-for-4 to end a 10-game hit streak. Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero 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
Jul 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros first baseman Jon Singleton (28) and third baseman Alex Bregman (2) and pitcher Hunter Brown (58) gather under a pop up hit by Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement (28, foreground) in the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports