Biggio homers, drives in 3 as Blue Jays beat Astros 6-4

TORONTO (AP) — Cavan Biggio and Teoscar Hernandez each hit a two-run home run, Clay Buchholz pitched into the sixth inning to win for the first time in more than a year, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Houston Astros 6-4 Saturday.

Biggio went 2 for 3 with a walk, drove in three and scored twice against the team his Hall of Fame father Craig starred with for 20 seasons.

Bo Bichette and Brandon Drury each had two hits as the Blue Jays won for the second time in five games.

Houston has lost two of three after winning six straight and nine of the previous 10.

Buchholz (1-3) allowed two runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings, using four double plays to overcome a season-high five walks, including four leadoff walks.

Houston’s Jose Altuve was doubled off first base on a deep flyball by Yordan Alvarez in the first, and the Astros grounded into double plays to end the third, fourth and fifth innings.

The victory was Buchholz’s first since Aug. 22, 2018, with Arizona, when he pitched seven shutout innings to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Former Astros closer Ken Giles struck out George Springer, Altuve and Alex Bregman in the ninth for his 18th save in 19 opportunities.

Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (4-7) matched a career worst by allowing six runs and gave up a career-worst nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. Valdez has won just once in his past six outings.

Bregman hit a sacrifice fly in the first, but Toronto scored three in the third. Randal Grichuk hit an RBI single and Hernandez, a former Astro, followed with his 21st homer.

Biggio hit a two-out blast in the fourth, his 11th and second in two games. He hit a solo homer in Friday’s 7-4 loss.

Yuli Gurriel hit a two-run double off Derek Law in the sixth, but Biggio responded with a two-out RBI double off Joe Smith in the bottom half.

Bregman cut it to 6-4 with a bases-loaded walk off Law in the seventh, but Buddy Boshers came on and struck out Alvarez looking to leave the bases full.

The Astros put runners at first and second with one out in the eighth, but Jordan Romano retired pinch-hitters Michael Brantley and Aledmys Diaz to preserve the two-run lead.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: RHP Collin McHugh (right elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list and RHP Jose Urquidy was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock. McHugh got the win Friday by recording the final out of the fourth inning. He threw 14 pitchers to two batters. McHugh missed 34 games because of elbow soreness in May and June. … RHP Ryan Pressly (right knee) played catch in Houston Saturday, manager AJ Hinch said.

UP NEXT

Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (16-5, 2.69) starts for Houston in Sunday’s series finale. The AL ERA leader is 2-1 with a 2.51 ERA in five August starts.

Blue Jays: RHP Wilmer Font (3-3, 4.35) will open for the Blue Jays Sunday. Font is 0-1 with a 1.76 ERA in eight opening appearances, striking out 24 batters in 15 1/3 innings.