The Blue Jays got off to a hot start to begin the year, having an 8-5 record through their first 13 games, and held the top spot in the AL East division. Then they continued to stay hot and improved their record all the way to 12-8, and still holding a tie for the top spot with the yankees over the division. But in their most recent affairs, Toronto has struggled immensely, and have dropped three in a row coming into this second game of their series against the Houston Astros.

Chris Bassitt took the mound for the Blue Jays, and Houston went with the man that haunted Jays fans last year by throwing a no-hitter against them, in Ronel Blanco.

Houston got off to another early start in this game, with the first runs of the game coming in the first inning when Jeremy Pena hit an infield single to third base that allowed a run to come in to score. Christian Walker would keep the inning going, by hitting a liner up the middle that would hit off the second base bag and into center field, which would give another runner enough time to round third and score on the RBI single. Jeremy Pena would advance to third on that hit, and now with runners on the corners and one out, Brendan Rodgers hit a sac fly into right field that would be deep enough to score Pena and just like that the Astros put up a three spot in the first inning off Bassitt and had an early strangle hold over the game.

The Blue Jays chipped into the lead a bit later in the contest, when in the top of the third inning, Nathan Lukes launched a solo homer over the wall and brought the game to 3-1.

The game was dull and drawn out for the majority of the rest of the game, with Blanco giving the Jays his best stuff, and the Astros would tack on two more runs, with them scoring one in both the sixth and seventh innings, to take a 5-1 advantage.

Houston took care of business and finished the game off, securing the win. Toronto has now lost their last four games in a row and have dropped to being right at .500 for their record at 12-12. This stint of losing has not been kind to the Jays, being consistently blown out and not being able to hit at the plate, only managing to record two hits in this game as a prime example. In order for the Blue Jays to get back in the win column, they need to shake off this hitting slump and get back to producing at the plate. Toronto plays their last game in Houston on Wednesday before flying to New York to play against the Yankees.

Winner: Houston Astros (12-11)

Loser: Toronto Blue Jays (12-12)

PLAYERS OF THE GAME:

J. Pena: 3/4, 1R, 1RBI

C. Walker: 3/3, 1R, 1RBI

I. Paredes: 1/4, HR, 1RBI

PITCHERS:

Win – R. Blanco: 6.2IP, 2H, 1ER, 3K (2-2)

Loss – C. Bassitt: 5.1IP, 7H, 4ER, 3K (2-1)