Grichuk helps Blue Jays beat Astros 6-3

HOUSTON – Toronto's Randal Grichuk gave a show to hundreds of friends and family members who saw him playing in his third career game just 35 miles from his hometown of Rosenberg , in Texas.

Grichuk hit a two-run homer and made a huge defensive play, helping the Blue Jays beat the Houston Astros 6-3 on Monday.

"You can not feel your whole body playing," Grichuk said. "You feel like you do not need to stretch or pull yourself out – it's as special to me as it is to my family."

Toronto also got two home runs from Curtis Granderson against Justin Verlander, but the night belonged to Grichuk during a homecoming.

His 471-foot flight, which slammed the light pole over the railroad tracks on the left wall, came against Will Harris and made it 6-3 with two out of eight.

Grichuk then crossed the small wall in the right field to deprive George Springer of a home run with two hits and no withdrawal in the ninth.

"These are the pieces you dream of that you do not get too often," he said. "But exactly what you hope for has arrived."

Grichuk, who moved from the center to the right field in the ninth end, was back to the wall when he reached between two fans with gloves to make the grab.

Springer stopped running and leaned in disbelief when he realized that Grichuk had stolen it.

"Baseball can be pretty cruel," said Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "It's a tough one right from the start, I thought George had one, he wore and wore and wore and seemed to have to go far enough in the stands to get it."

The Granderson striker shot at third on three occasions. He sank again with two outs on the seventh turn, leading Verlander (9-3) to second in the Crawford Boxes in the left field.

"I'm not a big fan of Crawford Boxes right now," Verlander said. "The one on the right, I thought Curtis was pretty good, the one on the left, I did not think he was fine, but that's the stage we're playing in. It's just for all parties, I have to do a little better. "

Verlander, who came in with a 1.60 ERA in the major league, allowed four runs and seven hits – both highs of the season – in 6 2/3 innings. He retired six and made two in his first loss since May 11.

J.A. of Toronto Happ (10-3) scored three runs and seven hits in six innings for his sixth consecutive victory. Seung-hwan Oh worked the ninth for his second stop.

The former Astro Teoscar Hernandez, who received his World Series ring at a pre-game ceremony, got three hits and Justin Smoak made two runs while the Blue Jays have won their third straight.

Alex Bregman won the third Astros defeat in 18 games.

Hernandez was distinguished by an exit in the first before Yangervis Solarte did a walk. The Smoak double gave Toronto a 2-0 lead.

Yuli Gurriel scored in Jose Altuve in the bottom half, and Bregman's drive to the seats in the left tied it to 2 with one on the third.

Bregman also scored in Jake Marisnick in the fourth quarter, but the Blue Jays revived when Granderson sent the third pitch of the fifth inning in the stands for his eighth tour this season.

TRAINER ROOM

Astros: RHP Joe Smith (inflammation of the right elbow) felt good after launching a trial pad on Sunday and he will launch another paddock before starting a rehabilitation mission this weekend.

Blue Jays: RHP Aaron Sanchez (bruised finger on the right hand) has less swelling and discomfort and will start playing catch in the coming days.

WHERE DID HE GO?

Granderson hit a big surprise in the first run that got stuck in the park's girders. Receiver Max Stassi got rid of his mask and looked up while waiting for the mask to come down, but he never did. Bregman soon trotted in the plate and began to lift his head to see where it was. Verlander held his glove on top of his head for a few seconds, jokingly protecting himself as he fell close to him. Granderson and the Astros trio then laughed, and Granderson returned to the box to resume his fight.

"I still have no idea what happened on it," Granderson said. "I've never hit a ball that high."

FOLLOWING

Charlie Morton (9-1, 2.77 ERA) presented his 10th win in Houston on Tuesday. Morton gave just two hits and an undefeated run in six innings of a 5-1 win over Tampa Bay on his last outing. The Blue Jays have not announced their start on Tuesday yet.

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