logo
Instant Reaction: Blue Jays’ bats remained cold in 5-1 defeat to Astros
alt
Photo credit: © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Apr 22, 2025, 22:45 EDTUpdated: Apr 22, 2025, 23:04 EDT
Comments
The Toronto Blue Jays’ early season start has been all but erased.
On Tuesday evening, they played their second of three games against the Houston Astros, looking to avoid their second consecutive series loss. Unfortunately, they were unable to win this one, falling 5-1. Let’s take a look at what happened.
After a scoreless top of the first for the Jays, Chris Bassitt ran into some trouble in the bottom of the first. Jose Altuve hit a lead-off single, followed by Yordan Álvarez’s single to put two runners on and no outs. Jeremy Peña drove in the first run of the game with a single, followed by another single from Christian Walker. Bassitt got the second out of the inning thanks to Brendan Rodgers’ sacrifice fly, but it was 3-0 heading into the second inning.
The Jays got a run back in the top of the third, as the team hit their 13th home run of the season, a solo blast from Nathan Lukes. However, Yainer Díaz doubled in Walker to make it a 4-1 game for the Astros.
For good measure, Isaac Paredes hit his fourth home run of the season to give the Astros a 5-1 lead, the eventual score of the game.

Takeaways…

The Jays aren’t doing so hot right now. With the loss, they’re now on a four-game losing streak where they’ve scored eight runs, which is on average two per game. It gets even worse when you look at the series in Houston, as they’ve scored just one run through the two games. Last season, they were shut out twice and scored two runs in a 2-1 win.
Thankfully, the Jays weren’t no-hit by Ronel Blanco again; however, they mustered just two hits off him (and in the game), as Nathan Lukes hit a home run and Ernie Clement hit a single. So far this series, they have just four hits in total, not nearly good enough.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a tough game, striking out three times. In total, the Jays struck out seven times, with no player striking out more than once. George Springer and Alan Roden each walked once.
Chris Bassitt had his worst start of the season, giving up four earned runs in five and one-third innings. He had the second-lowest ERA for qualified pitchers in the league coming into this game, with his ERA rising to 1.88 after tonight’s performance.
Brendon Little got him out of the sixth inning with a strikeout and a walk, while Yariel Rodríguez gave up a home run in his inning of work. Mason Fluharty had his best outing as a big leaguer, striking out the side to lower his season ERA to 2.25.
The Jays will look to avoid their second sweep of the season on Wednesday at 7:40 PM ET. Bowden Francis will make the start for them.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Featured

News

Breaking News