Field Level Media
Sep 26, 2018
Alex Bregman hit a two-run home run, Josh James pitched effective five innings, and the visiting Houston Astros clinched at least a tie for the American League West title by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 Tuesday night.
Yuli Gurriel had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 11 games for the Astros, who would seal the division crown if the Oakland A's lose later Tuesday night to the Seattle Mariners.
Houston (100-57) reached 100 wins for the third time in club history and for the second consecutive season. The Astros have won the first two games of the three-game series.
James (2-0) allowed one run, four hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out three in his third career major league start.
Former Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 20th save of the season, his 11th with Houston. Earlier in the day in Toronto, he accepted a one-year peace bond and an assault charge against him was dropped. He had been suspended for 75 games by Major League Baseball for the incident.
Billy McKinney hit a solo homer for the Blue Jays.
Toronto starter Sam Gaviglio (3-9) allowed four runs (three earned), six hits and two walks in five-plus innings. He fanned three.
Bregman's 31st homer of the season followed a leadoff single by George Springer in the first inning.
McKinney hit his sixth homer of the season with two out in the third.
The Astros scored twice in the sixth. Marwin Gonzalez walked, Gurriel singled and Tyler White hit an RBI single.
After Jose Fernandez replaced Gaviglio, center fielder Jonathan Davis was charged with an error when he collided with right fielder McKinney on Josh Redick's fly ball. After Martin Maldonado struck out, Danny Barnes replaced Fernandez. Pinch hitter Evan Gattis hit a sacrifice fly.
Tony Sipp tossed a perfect bottom of the sixth for Houston.
The Blue Jays (71-87) loaded the bases against Collin McHugh in the bottom of the seventh, but Ryan Pressly took over and struck out pinch hitter Justin Smoak to end the threat.
Houston's Hector Rondon set the side down in order in the bottom of the eighth.
--Field Level Media