Closers in spotlight as Blue Jays, Astros conclude series

The visiting Houston Astros will aim to maintain their success against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon in the decisive game of a three-game series.

Yainer Diaz's ninth-inning solo homer gave the Astros a 3-2 win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday and a split of the first two games.

The Astros (79-67) have won four of five games against the Blue Jays this season and have won eight of the past 10 between the teams.

Toronto (83-62) is scheduled to start right-hander Kevin Gausman (9-10, 3.63 ERA), who has had his problems against the Astros. He is 3-5 with a 5.13 ERA in eight career starts Houston, including a loss on April 21, when he gave up four runs in six innings.

Houston's scheduled starter is right-hander Cristian Javier (1-2, 4.43), who is 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA in three career starts against Toronto.

The Astros feel they could have won the series opener, too. Bryan Abreu failed to hold a two-run lead in the ninth inning on Tuesday, and the Blue Jays won 4-3 in 10 innings.

The Wednesday game had a similar feel. Toronto scored twice in the eighth to tie the game 2-2 after Jason Alexander pitched seven scoreless innings. Diaz homered in the ninth, and Houston manager Joe Espada was rewarded for his faith in Abreu, who threw a perfect ninth for his fifth save.

Espada had talked to Abreu after his disappointing outing a day earlier.

"I told him how much I trust him," Espada said. "When the game is on the line, I want him on the mound."

Diaz also had an RBI double, and Carlos Correa hit his 200th career home run to give Houston a 2-0 lead in the sixth.

Diaz has five hits in the series, helping to boost a struggling lineup.

"He's being more patient," Espada said "He's swinging at more strikes. When he's swinging at strikes, he is a very dangerous hitter."

Toronto closer Jeff Hoffman, who surrendered Diaz's game-winning blast, continues to struggle. He has allowed 15 homers in 62 1/3 innings this season, tied for the most in the majors by a relief pitcher. He has served up 13 homers in the ninth inning or later, a club record.

Toronto manager John Schneider admitted that he was beginning to sound "like a broken record" in his defense of Hoffman.

"It's just one bad pitch," Schneider said. "We're trying to go in on Diaz all night, and it just kind of was middle-middle. ... (Hoffman) has good stuff. I still trust him. He's been throwing the ball really well. It was one bad pitch tonight."

Hoffman's first out of the ninth, however, was a solid line drive to center by Victor Caratini.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve did not start on Wednesday, then struck out as a pinch hitter.

"Just a day for him to relax and reset and get back in there for tomorrow," Espada said. "He's been playing a lot."

Altuve has been struggling at the plate, and he did not run hard to third base in the 10th inning on Tuesday when he was thrown out on a grounder to first.

Houston's Yordan Alvarez went 2-for-4 on Wednesday and is hitting .449/.533/.694 with three homers in 14 games since returning from the injured list.

--Field Level Media