Clement’s 10th-Inning Homer Lifts Blue Jays
Ernie Clement hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the 10th inning Wednesday afternoon, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-4 road victory over the Houston Astros.
With the automatic runner on base, Clement connected against Bennett Sousa for his ninth home run of the season. The blast gave Toronto a two-run advantage.
Houston answered in the bottom of the 10th when Yordan Alvarez singled home Jeremy Peña against Chase Lee. Alvarez attempted to advance to second but was thrown out by right fielder Nathan Lukes. A replay review upheld the call.
Astros manager Joe Espada was ejected after arguing the decision.
Lee then retired Jose Altuve and Daulton Varsho to finish the game and earn the first save of his major league career.
Louis Varland pitched a perfect ninth inning and received the win as Toronto secured its third consecutive series victory. Jesús Sánchez also hit a two-run homer for the Blue Jays.
Jameson Taillon made his first start for Toronto after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The right-hander allowed three runs on six hits over four innings while striking out four and walking two.
Houston starter Hunter Brown gave up three runs and three hits in six innings. He recorded eight strikeouts and issued two walks.
Lamonte Wade Jr. finished with three hits for the Astros, while Altuve homered. The loss reduced Houston’s lead over the Texas Rangers in the American League West to 1½ games.
The Astros opened the scoring in the third inning when Altuve launched a 401-foot solo home run, his 13th of the season.
Varsho followed with a single, stole second and scored on Christian Walker’s two-out double. Wade then added an RBI single to extend Houston’s lead to 3-0.
Spencer Miles replaced Taillon and pitched two scoreless innings.
Toronto tied the game in the sixth. Myles Straw doubled and scored on Kazuma Okamoto’s two-out single. Sánchez then hit his eighth home run of the season, a two-run shot that made it 3-3.
Houston threatened again in the bottom of the inning when Walker singled, and Wade doubled with no outs. Miles responded by retiring Yainer Díaz, Nick Allen and Peña in succession to preserve the tie.
The score remained even until Clement’s decisive home run in the 10th.
