Astros hang on, finish sweep of Blue Jays

Rookie Ryan Gusto had six strikeouts over 5 2/3 effective innings, Zach Dezenzo went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and the Houston Astros posted a 3-1 victory over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Gusto (3-1) allowed one run on three hits while walking one as Houston completed a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays. Christian Walker had a solo home run and Yordan Alvarez also drove in a run for the Astros.

Josh Hader remained perfect in save opportunities, picking up his seventh of the season, but not without some drama. With one out, he walked George Springer, and Ernie Springer doubled to left field. Hader bounced back to strike out Jonathan Kirk and get Myles Straw to fly out.

Toronto's Bowden Francis (2-3) allowed three earned runs on eight hits and a walk over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out one. Springer, a former Astros player, doubled home the Blue Jays' only run in the fourth inning. Toronto has lost five straight games.

Jose Altuve and Alvarez began the home half of the first with back-to-back singles, but Francis averted trouble by getting Isaac Paredes to hit into a double play and striking out Jeremy Pena.

After Gusto worked a scoreless top of the second, Walker began the bottom of the frame with his third home run of the year. Yainer Diaz then tripled and scored on Dezenzo's single. Mauricio Dubon and Chas McCormick also singled, the latter on a bunt. Two batters later, Alvarez's sacrifice fly extended the Astros' advantage to 3-0.

Toronto struck in the fourth, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led off with a single and Springer doubled him home.

Gusto retired Bo Bichette and struck out Guerrero to begin the top of the sixth, before walking Anthony Santander to end his outing. Bryan King entered and retired Springer to end the frame.

Against Chad Green in the bottom of the sixth, Diaz and Dezenzo hit consecutive singles to begin the inning, but Green escaped unscathed.