Nathan Lukes' solo shot ties things up! 🎥: Sportsnet | #BlueJays50
Instant Reaction: Joey Loperfido enacts his revenge in Blue Jays’ 3-1 loss to Astros
Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Jun 25, 2026, 07:30 EDTUpdated: Jun 25, 2026, 07:35 EDT
Joey Loperfido made sure he got himself revenge over his former club, helping the Houston Astros win 3-1 in the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays.
For the second straight game, Loperfido made his mark against the Blue Jays. A day after slamming a game-winning three-run home run in the top of the 11th inning, Loperfido smashed a one-out triple off Jeff Hoffman in the top of the eighth before coming in to score the game-winning run on a Hoffman throwing error.
The Blue Jays (39-41) dealt Loperfido to the Astros in February in exchange for outfielder Jesús Sánchez, and he put together his best series of the season to date. The 27-year-old went 2-for-8 with one home run, four RBIs, and two runs scored. For the season, Loperfido is now batting .241 with one home run and 11 RBIs.
Much of Wednesday’s loss can be credited to another lacklustre showing. The Blue Jays managed only four hits in the loss and were shut down by Astros right-hander Mike Burrows, who entered with a 5.79 ERA and had allowed the most runs of any pitcher in the American League.
Burrows allowed only two hits over six innings, with the only damage of his evening coming on a Nathan Lukes home run in the first inning. After getting ahead 3-1 in the count, Lukes drove a fastball from Burrows 342 feet to right field, just sneaking it over the fence for his third home run of the season.
Lukes has been one of the consistent bright spots for the Blue Jays this season and is batting .301 with three home runs and 15 RBIs, including a .351 average over 26 games since coming off the injured list on May 25.
Trey Yesavage followed up his longest start of the year during his last outing with another good one on Wednesday. Yesavage turned in a pitching line of 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5 K, and lowered his ERA to 3.56 on the season. While the walks are concerning, Yesavage continues to find a way to work out of trouble and looks like a pitcher who has the ability to get swing-and-miss in big situations.
On the season, Yesavage is 3-3, and holds a 1.17 WHIP and 58 strikeouts over his 60.2 innings pitched. With a beat-up bullpen, Yesavage threw a season-high 105 pitches and limited bullpen usage amidst a stretch of 10 games in 10 days.
With the Astros leading 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Luis Urías roped a one-out single to left field off Bryan King and advanced to second base on a passed ball by catcher Yainer Díaz. George Springer drove a fly ball to right field that was run down by Cam Smith, but Urías strayed too far off second base, allowing the Astros to double up the 29-year-old and put an end to the Blue Jays’ only real threat of the night.
The Blue Jays will open a four-game series with the Texas Rangers (38-42) beginning on Thursday night. Kevin Gausman will make his 17th start of the season, while the Rangers will counter with left-hander MacKenzie Gore. First pitch is 7:07 at Rogers Centre.
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