Espinal's RBI single backs stellar Gausman outing as Blue Jays top Astros

TORONTO — Santiago Espinal's RBI single in the seventh inning brought home the winning run as the Toronto Blue Jays held off the Houston Astros 3-2 on Sunday.

Bo Bichette's two-run homer in the sixth was the first hit of the game for Toronto (15-8).

Espinal and Bichette's offence backed a stellar start by Kevin Gausman (2-1).

He struck out 10 and allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings before giving way to Tim Mayza. Jordan Romano pitched the ninth for his Major League-leading 11th save of the season.

Framber Valdez (1-2) allowed three runs on just two hits and two walks for Houston, striking out two over 6 1/3 innings. Phil Maton and Héctor Neris pitched two innings of scoreless relief.

Niko Goodrum and Aledmys Diaz drove in runs for Houston (11-11) with a double and a single, respectively.

Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Espinal came to the plate with one out and runners on first and second.

Espinal hit a single to deep left field with Alvarez coming up firing as Matt Chapman rounded third. The Blue Jays third baseman slid cleats-first into home, beating the throw for a 3-2 Toronto lead.

Romano induced a pop fly to shallow right field to start the ninth before Kyle Tucker doubled. The Blue Jays closer then got pinch-hitter Alex Bregman to line out to a diving George Springer in right field.

The 31,802 in attendance at Rogers Centre were already on their feet as Romano struck out Goodrum to end the game.

In the first, Gausman got three quick outs before getting really dialed in for the second. He struck out Yordan Alvarez and Yuli Gurriel in succession, then punched Goodrum's ticket after giving up a single to Tucker.

Gausman continued his dominance in the third with a strikeout of Jeremy Peña, inducing