Gausman shines in Jays win
Espinal drives in winning run with a clutch single in the seventh inning
It may only be the second month of the season, but Kevin Gausman felt like he had to put in a playoff-calibre performance Sunday.
Gausman struck out 10 and allowed two runs over seven innings as the Toronto Blue Jays held off the Houston Astros 3-2 at Rogers Centre. The victory gave Toronto a 4-2 regular-season record over Houston, the defending American League champions.
“Almost felt like a post-season game,” said Gausman, who noted that the Astros’ roster is largely unchanged from last year’s World Series. “The amount of adrenalin that you have every pitch you know, you’ve got to be really fine.”
Gausman has been more than fine this year.
Sunday’s win made Gausman the only pitcher since Cy Young (1906) to begin a season with five straight starts and a minimum of 20 innings pitched without allowing a walk or home run. No other pitcher has accomplished the feat since the World Series era began in 1903.
“It’s not like I’m trying not to walk guys, I’m just throwing competitive pitches,” said Gausman (2-1). “Obviously, it’s cool. But I’ve got another start in five days, you know?
“This game wasn’t the last game of the season. We’re not the last one standing yet. So, on to the next one.”
Bo Bichette’s two-run homer in the sixth was the first hit of the game for Toronto (15-8), breaking up a no-hit bid by Astros starter Framber Valdez. Gausman said his teammates were trying to jinx Valdez in the dugout, but Bichette insisted he was focused on scoring a run with the Blue Jays down 1-0.
“I just care about winning or losing so, for me, it had nothing really to do with breaking up a no-no,” said Bichette.
“Just going out there, trying to have a good at bat to win the game for my team.”
Toronto has won six series and tied another to start the 2022 season. The Blue Jays have won two series apiece against Houston and Boston, taken sets from Texas and Oakland, and split one in New York against the Yankees.
“Not only that, but we’re playing the best teams in baseball and we have won them,” said Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo. “That’s a great credit to our pitching, great work by our defence and, of course, our timely hitting.”
Santiago Espinal’s RBI single in the seventh brought home the winning run for Toronto. Tim Mayza pitched a scoreless eighth for the Blue Jays before Jordan Romano earned his Major League-leading 11th save of the season.
This game wasn’t the last game of the season. We’re not the last one standing yet. So, on to the next one.
KEVIN GAUSMAN TORONTO BLUE JAYS PITCHER