Astros 6, Blue Jays 4
HOUSTON -- Preston Tucker recorded a multi-hit game in his first career start at Minute Maid Park, sparking the Houston Astros to a 6-4, comeback victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night.
Tucker, who made his major league debut May 7 against the Angels in Los Angeles, finished 3-for-4 as the designated hitter Thursday.
His opposite-field, RBI double off Blue Jays left-hander Aaron Loup (1-2) ignited the Astros' four-run seventh inning, a frame that included a two-run single to right from shortstop Jonathan Villar and a throwing error by Toronto catcher Josh Thole that allowed Villar to score the final run.
The Astros (22-13) rallied from a 3-1 deficit for a second consecutive game. Right-hander Chad Qualls notched his fourth save by retiring the side in order in the ninth inning.
Blue Jays right-hander Drew Hutchison recorded a season-high nine strikeouts over six strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk. When shortstop Ezequiel Carrera plated center fielder Kevin Pillar with a sacrifice fly in the seventh, the Blue Jays led 4-2.
Houston reliever Josh Fields (2-0) recorded the final two outs of the seventh to earn the victory. Astros starter Roberto Hernandez allowed four runs on six hits and three walks over 6 1/3 innings.
With Hutchison seeking to maintain the momentum he established in his previous start, the Blue Jays offered support via their customary power display.
One at-bat after designated hitter Jose Bautista provided Toronto a 1-0 lead with his sixth home run of the season, a 439-foot blast to left field with two outs in the first inning, first baseman Edwin Encarnacion followed with a 430-foot shot to left, doubling the margin. Bautista victimized Hernandez by pouncing on a fastball, while Encarnacion capitalized on a slider for his eighth homer.
Hutchison surrendered half of his lead in the bottom of the first, allowing a single and stolen base to Astros second baseman Jose Altuve before third baseman Luis Valbuena crushed a run-scoring double to straightaway center field. However, from that point, Hutchison settled down, recording a pair of strikeouts to strand two baserunners in the first.
The Blue Jays (17-19) pushed the lead to 3-1 in the third inning. Second baseman Devon Travis' double scored Carrera, who had singled and swiped second base.
NOTES: The Astros recalled RHP Jake Buchanan from Triple-A Fresno to fill the roster void left by LHP Brett Oberholtzer returning to the 15-day disabled list with a blister on his left index finger. Buchanan, who made 17 appearances (two starts) with the Astros last season, went 3-1 with a 5.08 ERA with the Grizzlies and will work in long relief. ... With the opener of their four-game series against the Astros, the Blue Jays kicked off a stretch of 26 consecutive games against opponents outside the American League East. ... Houston promoted RHP Lance McCullers Jr., its 10th-best prospect according to MLB.com, to Triple-A Fresno on Thursday, with GM Jeff Luhnow acknowledging that McCullers could make his debut in Houston at some point this season should he keep excelling. McCullers, 21, went 3-1 with a 0.62 ERA in six appearances (four starts) with Double-A Corpus Christi, striking out 43 and walking 11 in 29 innings.