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Blue Jays nipped in 14th after Martin’s clutch blast
- Updated: August 2, 2016
HOUSTON — In a game featuring 40 strikeouts, 12 hits and 14 innings, offense was in short supply Monday night at Minute Maid Park, but the Astros found just enough to eke out a 2-1 win.
“What a finish,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “We didn’t do a lot, but we did enough, just enough to pull that one out.”
Carlos Correa hit an RBI double off Scott Feldman, who was traded from Houston to Toronto earlier in the day, to score Jose Altuve and secure an Astros win to open a four-game series.
“A few hours ago, he’s in our clubhouse and a big part of our chemistry and our culture and then we walk him off,” Hinch said of Feldman. “Obviously, as competitors, as soon as he changes uniforms, you change your affection for that guy, but I legitimately have some weird feelings about seeing him on the other side.”
Both starters put together strong outings. Toronto’s Marcus Stroman went seven innings, allowing only three hits and a home run while striking out a career-high 13 batters, while Houston’s Doug Fister didn’t allow a run in six innings and struck out a season-high eight.
Altuve’s sixth-inning solo shot appeared to be the game-winner until All-Star closer Will Harris blew his second save opportunity in three days. Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin drilled a home run over the train tracks at Minute Maid Park, his eighth of the season, to tie the game at 1 in the top of the ninth.
The Astros have won eight straight and 13 of their last 15 against the Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park. The win snaps a three-game losing streak for Houston and hands Toronto a second straight loss.
“Feldman wasn’t supposed to pitch tonight, he threw a lot of pitches yesterday, but for his team he went out there,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “We just couldn’t get any offense. We had that one home run by Russ and that was about it. They pitched really well, too.”
MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDDevo domination: With the game tied in the ninth after the blown save, right-hander Chris Devenski entered in relief and dominated for 4 1/3 flawless innings. He struck out seven consecutive batters and became the 11th reliever since 1913 to pitch at least four perfect innings with seven or more strikeouts.
“What a gutsy performance …
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