Game #136 Houston Astros (88-48) @ Toronto Blue Jays (54-82) - game recap

George Springer was 2-4 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI to lead the Astros to a 7-4 victory over the Blue Jays

After a day off Wednesday, the Blue Jays began a three game series against Aaron Sanchez (who won't pitch due to a pectoral injury that has him on the IL), Joe Biagini, Roberto Osuna and the AL West leading Houston Astros. Trent Thornton got the start against Astros lefty Wade Miley, who is vying for the 4th starter's spot in the playoffs. Brandon Drury got the start at 1B with Justin Smoak being given the half-day off with the DH assignment tonight. Reese McGuire was behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays steal a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd on a catcher's interference call that scored Teoscar Hernandez
• Wade Miley pitching line: 3.2IP 2H 1R (unearned) 5BB 5K 95 pitches (52 for strikes)
• The Astros got one back in the top of the 5th as Josh Reddick singled scoring Yuli Gurriel
• A batter later, George Springer hammed a 3-run bomb into the second deck in left-center also scoring Robinson Chirinos and Reddick
• Trent Thornton pitching line: 5IP 6H 4R (3 earned) 0BB 6K 82 pitches (57 for strikes)
• The Astros added a run in the top of the 6th on a sac fly by Aledmys Diaz that scored Yordan Alvarez
• Three batters later, Springer doubled home Gurriel
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Reese McGuire smashed a solo blast to right
• The Astros added a run in the top of the 8th as Alex Bregman singled scoring Springer
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Derek Fisher hammered a solo bomb around the foul pole in right and deep into the second deck
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Cavan Biggio slammed a solo blast to right-center
• Final score: Astros 7 Blue Jays 4

My Take:

• Trent Thornton was essentially done in by one bad inning in the 5th where he allowed 4 runs on three hits and a fielding error by Vlad. One thing he did really well was command his pitches. Thornton did not walk a batter. Hopefully he builds on this solid-except-for-one-inning start and has a strong September to cap off his rookie season on a positive.
• One thing the Blue Jays did really well was show plate discpline. They chased Astros starter Wade Miley after 3.2 innings, drawing 5 walks and making Miley work, driving the pitch count up in the process
• Reese McGuire had a great day at the plate going 3-4 with 2 RBI, including a mammoth solo shot
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game losing streak and even the weekend series. Righty Clsy Buchholz pitches against Astros lefty Framber Valdez.