Nick Allen failed to get a squeeze bunt down before striking out to help put the kibosh on a prime Astros scoring opportunity in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s 10-inning loss to Toronto.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Their lineup created traffic in the early innings, their ace carried a no-hit bid into the sixth, but inability to close cost the Houston Astros a chance to win a series Wednesday.
Ernie Clement blasted the first pitch Bennett Sousa threw in the 10th inning over the Crawford Boxes, a two-run home run that proved decisive in the Toronto Blue Jays handing the Astros a 5-4 loss, one that featured some frustrating moments and was not without late drama.
With a 5-3 lead, the Blue Jays opted to pitch to Yordan Alvarez to begin the bottom of the 10th. Alvarez pulled a line drive into the right-field corner, scoring a run. But going for a double, he was thrown out at second base by Nathan Lukes.
Article continues below this ad
The Astros challenged the call, believing that the left foot of Alvarez, who did not slide, reached the bag before shortstop Andrés Giménez tagged his back. A review upheld the out call.
“Honestly, I think I missed the base,” Alvarez said, through an interpreter. “I feel like if I would have touched it, I would have been safe. But I think I missed the base.”
Manager Joe Espada, who was ejected by crew chief Doug Eddings trying to discuss the call after review, said postgame: “I think his foot was on the bag.” Espada did credit Giménez with waiting to react to the throw until the last moment, possibly duping Alvarez into not sliding.
“Giménez did a nice job selling it,” Espada said. “But I thought that he beat the play. But that was a nice deke by Giménez.”
Article continues below this ad
Alvarez said of not sliding and Giménez’s deke: “Players tend to do those type of tricks. What really happened was I was trying to get as fast as I could to the base and when I lifted my head up to see in front of me, I already had the bag come up to me.”
It erased the possible tying run. Three pitches later, the game ended. Jose Altuve’s drive to left field was caught by Jesús Sánchez, who leapt in front of the out-of-town scoreboard. Daulton Varsho, the Astros’ trade deadline addition, flied out on the first pitch of his at-bat.
Houston lost two of three to Toronto and is 59-57. Its lead in the AL West dipped to 1 ½ games after the Rangers’ win.
The Astros took a 3-0 lead in the third against Jameson Taillon of The Woodlands. Hunter Brown did not allow a hit until the sixth inning, when the Blue Jays tied the game with three hits a four-batter span — the last a home run by Sánchez, the outfielder traded by Houston to Toronto this spring.
Article continues below this ad
Those were the only three hits the Blue Jays managed in the first nine innings. Houston had nine to that point, but a 2-for-8 mark with men in scoring position reflected chances that went unfulfilled.
Toronto
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
Avg.
Totals
35
5
5
5
2
13
Lukes rf
5
0
1
0
0
3
.266
Okamoto 1b
5
1
1
1
0
2
.229
Sánchez lf
3
1
1
2
1
2
.270
Springer dh
3
0
0
0
1
0
.238
Valenzuela c
3
0
0
0
0
3
.235
b-Kirk ph-c
1
0
0
0
0
0
.235
J.Smith 3b
2
0
0
0
0
0
.209
a-Urías ph-2b
2
1
0
0
0
1
.240
Clement 2b-3b
4
1
1
2
0
1
.285
Giménez ss
3
0
0
0
0
1
.229
Straw cf
4
1
1
0
0
0
.231
Houston
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
Avg.
Totals
38
4
10
4
2
9
Peña ss
5
1
0
0
0
2
.311
Alvarez dh
4
0
1
1
1
2
.329
Altuve 2b
5
1
2
1
0
0
.244
Varsho cf
4
1
1
0
1
2
.242
Trammell rf-lf
4
0
0
0
0
1
.232
Walker 1b
4
1
2
1
0
1
.240
Wade lf
4
0
3
1
0
0
.229
1-C.Smith pr-rf
0
0
0
0
0
0
.217
Diaz c
4
0
0
0
0
0
.260
Allen 3b
3
0
1
0
0
1
.260
c-Paredes ph-3b
1
0
0
0
0
0
.249
Toronto
000
003
000
5
0
Houston
003
000
000
10
1
a-flied out for J.Smith in the 7th. b-flied out for Valenzuela in the 9th. c-popped out for Allen in the 9th.
1-ran for Wade in the 8th.
E_Allen (5). LOB_Toronto 4, Houston 7. 2B_Straw (11), Walker (24), Wade (4). HR_Sánchez (8), off Brown; Clement (9), off Sousa; Altuve (13), off Taillon. RBIs_Okamoto (70), Sánchez 2 (32), Clement 2 (38), Altuve (34), Walker (65), Wade (15), Alvarez (85). SB_Varsho (10), C.Smith (10). CS_C.Smith (2).
Runners left in scoring position_Toronto 0; Houston 4 (Peña 2, Walker 2). RISP_Toronto 2 for 3; Houston 3 for 9.
Runners moved up_Lukes. GIDP_Springer.
DP_Houston 1 (Altuve, Walker).
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
NP
ERA
4
6
3
3
2
4
80
5.96
2
2
0
0
0
2
40
3.04
1
0
0
0
0
2
11
4.14
1
1
0
0
0
0
10
1.59
1
0
0
0
0
1
17
1.09
1
1
1
0
0
0
5
6.23
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
NP
ERA
6
3
3
3
2
8
93
3.53
1
0
0
0
0
1
22
2.24
1
0
0
0
0
2
12
4.43
1
0
0
0
0
1
10
1.12
1
2
2
1
0
1
12
3.48
HBP_Okert (Giménez).
ABS Challenge_Brown (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Valenzuela (Strike-Overturned to Ball); Rogers (Ball-Confirmed); Diaz (Strike-Overturned to Ball).
Ejected_Espada.
Umpires_Home, Mike Muchlinski; First, Doug Eddings; Second, Emil Jimenez; Third, Gabe Morales.
T_2:55. A_27,751 (41,000).
Astros’ offense hit-and-miss
The Astros’ lineup scored three runs off Taillon and chased him after four innings and 80 pitches. It also squandered two ripe scoring opportunities in the first six innings that prevented a larger lead.
Taillon issued two walks around an Altuve single to load the bases with one out in the first. He induced a pop-up from Taylor Trammell and struck Christian Walker out swinging on a sinker to escape a 29-pitch ordeal without damage.
Article continues below this ad
“We had an opportunity there to punch first and score first and we couldn’t,” Espada said. “I thought Taillon did a nice job executing some pitches there with his fastball to Trammell and then put some good pitches to Walker. He executed very well.”
Altuve arced a cutter onto the train tracks past left field with one out in the third. Varsho struck a single, stole second and scored on a double by Walker. Down 0-2 in the count, Walker worked a seven-pitch at-bat and lined a curveball into the left-field corner.
LaMonte Wade Jr. singled to score him and give the Astros a 3-0 lead. After Toronto scored thrice in the sixth, they had a chance to answer. Walker struck a leadoff single against Spencer Miles. Wade doubled, moving him to third. Yainer Diaz popped out. Allen struck out. Jeremy Peña popped out to strand them.
“I think for the most part our at-bats were good, we put some pressure on those guys,” Espada said. “But they deployed the back end of the bullpen that was pretty good.”
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada argues a call with umpire Doug Eddings after designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was called out at second during the 10th inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Eddings ejected Espada and the call stood upon review.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada (19) head back to the dugout after being ejected by umpire Doug Eddings for arguing a call after designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was called out at second during the 10th inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith (11) walks back to the dugout after being tagged out by Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Luis Urías attempting to steal second to end the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith (11) is tagged out by Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Luis Urías attempting to steal second to end the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu (52) delivers during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (3) reacts after flying out to end the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros shortstop Nick Allen (20) is checked on by trainers and manager Joe Espada after being hit in the hand by Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Spencer Miles during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros shortstop Nick Allen (20) drops his bat being hit in the hand by Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Spencer Miles during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros shortstop Nick Allen (20) is hit in the hand by Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Spencer Miles during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros left fielder LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) reacts after hitting a double during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown (58) reacts alongside catcher Yainer Diaz as he walks off the field during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Toronto Blue Jays Jesús Sánchez reacts after hitting game-tying, 2-run home run off Houston starting pitcher Hunter Brown during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown (58) reacts after giving up a game-tying, two-run home run to Toronto Blue Jays Jesús Sánchez during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) hits an RBI single during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) hits an RBI single during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) rects after hitting an RBI double during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) rects after hitting an RBI double during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Jose Altuve, right, gets a high-five from Taylor Trammell after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Jose Altuve reacts after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Daulton Varsho hands his bat off after drawing a walk during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Daulton Varsho bats during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) reacts after hitting a single during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) hits a single during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) delivers during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) delivers during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson adjusts her lanyard with pins from various events she’s been at before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson adjusts her lanyard with pins from various events she’s been at before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson visits with fans before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson, left, visits with coworkers while holding a team autographed baseball before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson holds an autographed team baseball gifted to her by players before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson holds an autographed team baseball gifted to her by players before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson laughs before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros grounds crew worker Jim Wiggins, right, kisses usher Suzann Richardson on the head before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson, left, is handed an autographed ball by the team from ground crew worker Jim Winngs before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson, left, is handed an autographed ball by the team from ground crew worker Jim Winngs before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson laughs a she shares memories before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson, right, visits with is seen before her last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson, left, visits with Anita Sehgal, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, before Richardson’s last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Astros usher Suzann Richardson, right, visits with Anita Sehgal, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, before Richardson’s last game with the organization in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Richardson, 87, has been an usher for 31 years with the team starting her tenure in 1995 when the team still played in the Astrodome.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Hunter Brown loses no-hitter
Brown carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning. He looked dominant for the first five. He notched seven of 15 outs via strikeout and navigated two baserunners. The Blue Jays did not hit a ball out of the infield.
Article continues below this ad
“I thought I had good feel of just about everything,” Brown said.
Sánchez drew a two-out walk in the first. Brown retired his next seven hitters. Kazuma Okamoto led off the fourth with a slow chopper to the left side of the infield. Third baseman Allen charged the ball and tried to backhand the short-hop. It bounced under his glove, missing it altogether. The play was quickly ruled an error by the official scorer.
Brown froze Sánchez with a third-strike sinker, then used another to induce a comebacker from George Springer to start an inning-ending double play. In the fifth, Allen made a charging barehanded play on a chopper by Josh Smith that prevented a single. Eight balls put into play against Brown over the first five innings averaged a 72.6 mph exit velocity. He ended the fifth inning at 69 pitches.
The sixth halted him. Myles Straw, the former Astros outfielder, lined a high sinker to left field for a one-out double and Toronto’s first hit. A smattering of applause at Daikin Park recognized Brown’s effort. He induced a ground out by Lukes. But in a full count, Okamoto scooped a curveball into center field for an RBI single. And Sánchez scorched a 3-0 fastball off the second deck in right.
“A lot of guys swing 3-0 on me … It wasn’t like I just expected him to take it,” Brown said. “So I put it in a spot where I felt comfortable, whether it was going to be ball four or if he hit it, it was going to drive a good result for us. And man, he jumped it and hit it out of the ballpark. That’s kind of — I don’t know if you want to say surprising, but tip your hat to him.”
Given a green light, Sánchez beat a fastball that arrived well above the strike zone. It was just the second home run hit against Brown on a 3-0 pitch in his major-league career. Springer drew a walk before Brown struck out Brandon Valenzuela on a high sinker on his 24th pitch of the inning, and his 93rd and last of the game. Brown has a 3.53 ERA in 11 starts this season.
“The 3-2 curveball I threw to Okamoto in that inning too was a good pitch, and the two-seam I threw up and in to Straw I thought got to a decent spot,” Brown said. “But sometimes guys put really good swings on it, just the same way sometimes you throw pitches down the middle and get outs. I feel like it was just kind of unfortunate the way that unfolded in the sixth.”
Bryan Abreu reaches milestone
Abreu drew the eighth inning for Houston, facing the top of the Blue Jays order in a tied game, a further indication of his return to leverage usage. He quickly achieved a career milestone.
Abreu struck out Lukes, the leadoff man, swinging on a 97 mph fastball for his 500th career strikeout. He is the fourth reliever to amass that many strikeouts with the Astros, joining Billy Wagner, Brad Lidge and Dave Smith. He added his 501st by getting Sánchez to swing over a full-count slider to end the inning.
The scoreless inning pared Abreu’s season ERA to 4.43. Following a frightful April, Abreu has compiled a 2.01 ERA over his 33 appearances since May 1.
How is Jose Altuve hitting?
Altuve’s batting average dipped to .228 on July 27. Since then, he has multiple hits in six of his last eight games, including each of his last four, inching his average back up to .244.
His third-inning home run was Altuve’s first since July 19. Tuesday night, Espada said Altuve has lowered his hands and made a point to get his front foot down early to “be more efficient, shorter to the ball.”
Altuve began the day with a 49.6% ground-ball rate this season, per Baseball Savant, his highest in a full-length season since 2019. He was pulling the ball in the air at a 19.3% clip, compared to rates of 25.3% and 26.9% the past two seasons, helping explain his decreased power numbers.
Who’s up next for Astros?
The Astros are off Thursday before starting a six-game road trip to San Diego and San Francisco. Houston is slated to start Ronel Blanco and Peter Lambert in its first two games against the Padres, with its starter for Sunday’s finale not yet announced.
Cristian Javier could start Sunday on five days’ rest. Espada said this week that Tatsuya Imai, who threw three innings of relief Monday after Javier’s start against Toronto, could also be considered to start a game on the road trip.
Houston is scheduled to face Robbie Ray — the left-hander acquired by the Padres from the Giants at the trade deadline — in Friday’s series opener at Petco Park.