Mauricio Dubón hit a single that put the Astros ahead in the fifth inning, and Jeremy Peña hit a home run on his way to a 5-3 win over the Blue Jays on Thursday. It was the Astros’ 12th win in 14 games.
“I think the team is feeling really positive right now,” Peña said. “Everyone is focused on coming out, competing, and winning games. We’re all on the same page.”
Framber Valdez pitched six innings and won his third consecutive start as the Astros extended their winning streak on the Fourth of July to seven games, setting a new team record.
Yordan Alvarez got on base four times and scored a run as Houston won the series 3-1.
“Our aim is to finish the first half of the season strong and playing our best,” said Astros manager Joe Espada. “I feel like we’re there right now. We came out and handled our business.”
The Blue Jays have lost 12 of their last 16 games.
“You have to pick yourself up and keep moving forward,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “There’s no giving up, no quitting.”
Peña went 2 for 4 with a walk and scored two runs. He increased Houston’s lead with a home run in the seventh inning against Trevor Richards, his seventh of the season. Peña also hit a home run in the first game of the series on Monday.
Valdez (7-5) allowed three runs and nine hits. He walked two and struck out four.
“It wasn’t his best start initially, but he settled down nicely,” Espada said.
Tayler Scott pitched the seventh inning, Ryan Pressley worked the eighth, and Josh Hader closed out the game for his 14th save in 15 chances.
Both teams scored three runs in the first inning, which featured eight hits and two walks.
