Bo Bichette ended Framber Valdez’s no-hitter hopes with a bang on Sunday in Toronto, hitting a two-run homer in a 3-2 Blue Jays win over the Houston Astros.
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The cannon shot came at the end of the sixth inning. It was also the first long ball allowed by Valdez (1-2) in five games this season.
Matt Chapman, who reached first on a defensive error at shortstop, ended Valdez’s night’s work in the seventh inning. The newcomer to the Jays then scored the winning point thanks to a single from Santiago Espinal.
The Dominican eventually allowed three runs, two hits and two walks in six and a third innings.
If Valdez did well, Kevin Gausman (2-1) also played well. He added 10 strikeouts to his record for a total of 41 over 31 2/3 innings in five games. He hasn’t conceded a single walk or home run since the start of the season.
Sunday, he still allowed two runs and six hits in six and a third innings on the mound. Aledmys Diaz, with a single in the sixth, then Niko Goodrum, with a double in the seventh, were behind the Astros’ two runs.
Jordan Romano meanwhile added an 11th save in 12 attempts to his record. This time, he needed the help of George Springer, who made the second out with a spectacular catch in the top of the ninth to right field.
The Blue Jays begin the last of three straight home streaks on Monday. This time, it will be the New York Yankees – leaders in the American League standings – who will be crossing north of the Canada-US border for three games.