Kirk goes deep as the Blue Jays snap the Astros’ 6-game streak in a 3-1 win

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Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk celebrates after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) — Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk celebrates after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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9:51 PM on Monday, August 3

By KRISTIE RIEKEN

HOUSTON (AP) — Alejandro Kirk homered, Jesús Sánchez and Ernie Clement each had an RBI and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Houston 3-1 on Monday night, snapping the Astros' six-game winning streak.

Shane Bieber (3-2) bounced back after walking a career-high six batters while just getting two outs in his last start. He tied a season high with nine hits allowed but gave up just one run with two walks in 5 2/3 innings.

Tyler Rogers pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save.

Jose Altuve had two hits and Jeremy Peña drove in a run for the Astros, who failed to get an extra-base hit and left 13 men on base.

There were two on with two outs in the sixth when an RBI single by Peña cut the lead to 3-1 and chased Bieber.

Braydon Fisher took over and the Blue Jays intentionally walked Yordan Alvarez to give him a major league-leading 23 intentional walks this season and load the bases. But Fisher retired Isaac Paredes on a fly out to end the inning.

The Astros had another chance to cut the deficit with two outs in the eighth, but Brendon Little struck out Alvarez with a runner on first.

Center fielder Daulton Varsho made his Astros debut just hours after being traded from the Blue Jays for right-hander Spencer Arrighetti. Varsho singled and walked while batting cleanup for a team that has struggled to get meaningful offensive contributions from its outfielders for most of the season.

Houston starter Cristian Javier (1-2) yielded seven hits and three runs in six innings.

Struggling right-hander Tatsuya Imai made his first career relief appearance in the majors after making 15 starts for the Astros and struck out five in three hitless innings.

Kirk gave Toronto an early lead with his home run to open the second inning.

Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer hit consecutive singles to begin the fourth before Okamoto scored on a one-out single by Sánchez that made it 2-0. Clement's sacrifice fly sent Springer home to push the lead to 3-0.

Up Next

Toronto RHP Trey Yesavage (5-5, 3.73 ERA) opposes RHP Hayden Wesneski (1-0, 4.76) when the series continues Tuesday night.

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