The Houston Astros just stomped the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 on Tuesday, and guess who’s making the biggest noise? Taylor Trammell! His three-run bomb in the fifth inning blew that game wide open, giving Houston a cushion they rode straight to a win at Daikin Park. This wasn’t just any win, either. It came hot on the heels of the trade deadline, a day after the Astros decided to stand pat on pitching, and it showed exactly what they’re betting on.
Wesneski’s Wild Return and Dana Brown’s Bold Call
Remember all the chatter about the Astros *not* picking up more pitching at the deadline? General Manager Dana Brown said Wesneski and Ronel Blanco, both back from elbow surgeries, were “in itself like a trade acquisition.” Well, Hayden Wesneski proved him right last night. In just his second start back from Tommy John surgery, the right-hander delivered a quality start, giving up just two runs over six innings on only 78 pitches. The dude was efficient! He navigated Toronto’s aggressive, contact-happy offense, getting them to chase at a 44% clip and averaging only an 86.4 mph exit velocity on their 17 balls in play. Houston has won both of Wesneski’s starts since his return. That’s an auspicious start to a pretty wild plan, isn’t it? Meanwhile, Toronto’s starter Trey Yesavage bailed after two innings, forcing them into relief early, with Chad Dallas covering three before Trammell got to him.
Altuve’s Fire and The Lineup’s Unsung Heroes
It wasn’t just Wesneski and Trammell, though. Jose Altuve, playing from the sixth spot in the lineup, absolutely went off. He struck three hits, scored twice, and drove in two runs. This guy’s been on a tear, with Tuesday night marking his fifth multi-hit game in his last seven, going 11-for-28 in that stretch. Altuve’s two-out infield single in the fourth inning was the Astros’ first hit and sparked a rally. He later lined a two-out RBI single in the fifth that broke a 2-2 tie, right before Trammell sent that first-pitch curveball deep. This team, now sitting at 59-56 and having won 12 of their last 14 games, is getting serious production from the bottom half of their lineup, a trend that’s been huge on this homestand. Altuve himself has acknowledged frustration this season with his .236/.299/.385 slash line and 92 OPS-plus, but if this strong stretch continues, it’s a game-changer for him and the team.
Houston just snapped a six-game winning streak Monday, but they’re already back on track. With Wesneski looking sharp and the bats heating up, especially Altuve and Trammell, you gotta wonder how far this “in-house acquisition” pitching plan can take them. The stakes are high after the trade deadline, and with this kind of momentum, every outing for these returning pitchers is going to be HUGE. Keep an eye on Wesneski, because if he keeps this up, the Astros are going to be a force.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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