Pena, Alvarez homers help Astros outslug Jays

TORONTO — Yusei Kikuchi will still be a work in progress for Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker after a disappointing start on Friday.

Kikuchi lasted only 2 2/3 innings, striking out four but allowing four earned runs in Toronto's 11-7 loss to the Houston Astros. Kikcuhi signed with the Blue Jays on March 14 after spring training had already begun and has been working closely with Walker to make changes to his delivery.

"I trust Pete a lot and we've had some very good, deep conversations, whether it was pitching mechanics, even non-baseball related-conversations," said Kikuchi through translator Kevin Ando. "I think working with Pete, in continuing to work with him, I think will bring a lot of success."

Kikuchi (0-1) allowed four hits and three walks in the loss to the Astros.

Heading into Friday's game he had already given up 11 hits, 10 walks, and eight runs — five earned —over 12 innings in three starts against the New York Yankees, Boston, and Houston. All three of those games were losses for Toronto, even if it didn't go against Kikuchi's record.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said that it all comes down to Kikuchi locating his pitches better.

"He has 13 walks in 14 innings, something like that," said Montoyo. "He's got the stuff, we all know that. he's just not commanding his pitches."

Jeremy Peña's three-run bomb and Yordan Alvarez's two-run shot broke the game open for Houston (11-9) in the sixth inning. Alex Bregman had a solo home run in the first.

José Urquidy (2-1) allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk for the Astros but also struck out six in five innings. Bryan Abreu, Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek and Héctor Neris came out of the bullpen for the Astros.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the Blue Jays