Davis Schneider’s two-run home run against closer Josh Hader with two outs in the ninth inning lifted the Toronto Blue Jays over the Houston Astros 2-1 on Tuesday night. “It was just a fantastic swing on a pitch that he could hit well,” manager John Schneider said.
The Blue Jays were in danger of being shut out for the second straight night after Ronel Blanco threw the first no-hitter of the season in Houston’s 10-0 win Monday. They had gone 19 innings without scoring and were trailing 1-0 entering the ninth.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled to start the inning, but Bo Bichette grounded into a double play. Hader, who signed with the Astros for $95 million over five years this offseason, walked Justin Turner.
Schneider’s powerful hit to center field put the Blue Jays ahead 2-1 and sparked a celebration in the Toronto dugout. “Trying to get it below,” Hader said. “Hung it middle, middle.” John Schneider praised Davis Schneider’s performance.
“He’s calm for a young player,” the manager said. “And I think that he was probably trying some new things in spring, and kind of got back to what he’s good at. So it’s a constant game of adjustments, and I think he was aware of that. And love where he’s at right now and just trying to continue to put him in spots to do what he did tonight.”
Davis Schneider was surprised Hader threw him an offspeed pitch. “I’m surprised he didn’t throw me a fastball,” he said. “Fastballs up are kind of my Kryptonite. But he just hung a slider in there.”
Toronto starter José Berríos allowed six hits and one run in six innings in another solid start after getting the win on opening day. Chad Green pitched the final four outs for the victory.
Jose Altuve had two hits, including a solo homer in the fourth, which was all the offense the Astros could muster.
Houston starter Framber Valdez allowed six hits and struck out five without a walk. He bounced back after allowing three runs and six walks on opening day but not factoring in the decision in a loss to the Yankees.
Houston had a chance to extend its lead when Altuve was on third base with two outs in the eighth, but he was picked off trying to get back to third to end the inning. Turner had three hits, including two doubles, for the Blue Jays, and his walk in the ninth proved to be the difference.
Altuve’s homer in the fourth gave the Astros the lead, but they couldn’t add to it despite Yordan Alvarez’s single and Kyle Tucker’s double play. Bichette got Toronto’s first hit since Sunday in the first inning, but the Astros managed to prevent a run from scoring.
