Springer greets Houston fans with leadoff HR, Blue Jays win

By: Kristie Rieken, The Associated Press Posted: 6:27 PM CDT Saturday, Apr. 23, 2022 Last Modified: 6:42 PM CDT Saturday, Apr. 23, 2022

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HOUSTON (AP) — George Springer hit a leadoff homer in the first game against his former team, and Santiago Espinal homered for the second straight game Saturday to lift the Toronto Blue Jays to a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/04/2022 (1295 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Astros lost their fourth in a row.

The game was tied at 2 with one out in the seventh inning when Espinal, who hit his first homer this season in a win Friday night, connected off Blake Taylor (0-1).

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The Blue Jays lead the majors with 20 home runs after clubbing four in the first two games of this series.

Alek Manoah (3-0) allowed seven hits and two runs while fanning five in six innings.

Kyle Tucker hit a leadoff single in the Houston ninth, but Adam Cimber struck out Nico Goodrum before pinch-hitter Aledmys Diaz lined into an unassisted double play. Cimber got his first save.

Alex Bregman hit a two-run homer for Houston in the first inning, but the Astros couldn’t string much else together. Michael Brantley and Tucker each had three hits for Houston, but the bottom three in the order went 0 for 11 with six strikeouts.

Springer, who spent his first seven MLB seasons with the Astros, got a rousing ovation from the home crowd in his first appearance as a visitor in Houston. The 2017 World Series MVP was injured when the Blue Jays came to Houston last year and missed Friday’s game after being hit on the wrist by a pitch Wednesday night.

The Astros even played Travis Scott’s “Butterfly Effect,” a favorite walkup song of Springer’s during his time with the team, as he approached the plate for his first at-bat.

Springer then sent José Urquidy’s fifth pitch into the bullpen in right field to give Toronto an early lead. Springer smiled as he left the batter’s box and raised his right arm in triumph as the ball dropped into the bullpen.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit consecutive singles with one out in the inning before Alejandro Kirk walked to load the bases. But Urquidy retired Raimel Tapia to escape the jam.

Brantley hit a one-out single in the bottom of the inning before Bregman hit his homer into the first row of the seats in left field to put Houston on top 2-1.

Neither team could get much going offensively for the next few innings before Bo Bichette singled to start the sixth. Guerrero then singled on a ball that sailed just over the head of Goodrum’s leap at second base.

The Blue Jays tied it on a sacrifice fly by Gurriel that dropped when Goodrum and rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña collided attempting to catch it. Goodrum was shaken up on the play but stayed in the game after a short visit from manager Dusty Baker and a trainer.

Urquidy allowed six hits and two runs while walking one in 5 2/3 innings.

Houston Astros second baseman Niko Goodrum, left, falls to ground with shortstop Jeremy Pena while catching a sacrifice fly ball by Toronto Blue Jays' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

TRAINER’S ROOM

Blue Jays: LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (forearm inflammation) has increased the intensity in his throwing program and is throwing from 120 feet. … RHP Nate Pearson (mononucleosis) threw live batting practice Saturday with no issues. The team will see how he recovers from the work before determining his next step.

Astros: 2B Jose Altuve (strained left hamstring) took ground balls on the field Saturday and said afterward that he was feeling good. Altuve, who was placed on the injured list Tuesday, said he hasn’t hit since he was injured and isn’t sure of his next steps. … Closer Ryan Pressly (knee) is improving and is set to face hitters before Sunday’s game.

GOLDEN HOUR

Yuli Gurriel was presented with his Gold Glove award and the Astros received a Gold Glove for being the best defensive team in the AL last season in a pregame ceremony. Yuli was greeted by his younger brother Lourdes, who gave him a big hug, before Yuli received his award.

UP NEXT

Toronto left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 3.24 ERA) opposes RHP Luis Garcia (1-0, 2.79) in the series finale Sunday.

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