HOUSTON (AP) — On a night when the Houston Astros showcased their pitching prowess, Hunter Brown struck out a season-high nine batters over seven innings, leading the Astros to a commanding 7-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on April 21, 2025. Brown, now 3-1 on the season, allowed just two hits and issued one walk, extending his remarkable scoreless streak to 24 consecutive innings.
Forrest Whitley came in to finish the game, completing the two-hit shutout for Houston, marking the team’s second shutout of the season. This defeat marked the second time this year that the Blue Jays have been blanked, a troubling trend for a team that has struggled offensively in recent outings.
Jose Altuve was a key contributor for the Astros, hitting a two-run double that helped secure the win and contributed to the Astros' third victory in four games. Brendan Rodgers also shone, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Zach Dezenzo added two hits and scored twice, further bolstering Houston's offensive effort.
The game took a decisive turn in the fifth inning when the Astros exploded for four runs. Dezenzo ignited the rally with a double that scored Cam Smith, followed by Altuve's booming double off the left-field scoreboard that drove in two more runs. Isaac Paredes capped the inning with a run-scoring single, putting Houston ahead 4-0.
The Blue Jays have faced difficulties at the plate, having been shut out in three of their last four games in Houston, including previous losses of 10-0 and 8-0 last April. Toronto's struggles continued as right-hander Kevin Gausman, who is typically reliable, allowed four runs on six hits across six innings, falling to 2-2 for the season.
In the seventh inning, Yordan Alvarez contributed to the score with a line drive that drove in another run, bringing the score to 5-0. The Astros weren’t done yet; in the eighth inning, Brendan Rodgers delivered a clutch two-run double with the bases loaded, bringing in Jeremy Peña and Yainer Diaz to seal the game at 7-0.
Brown's performance was nothing short of stellar. He retired 20 of the 23 batters he faced, allowing only four balls out of the infield. His ERA now stands at a minuscule 1.16, a testament to his dominance on the mound this season. This scoreless streak is the longest in Major League Baseball this year and the longest by an Astros pitcher since Bryan Abreu's 27 2/3 innings from July 18 to September 30, 2023. It is also the longest streak for an Astros starter since Cristian Javier's 25 1/3 innings from September 7 to October 1, 2022.
The Astros' victory improved their record to 11-11, while the Blue Jays fell to 12-11, missing an opportunity to gain ground in the American League East standings. With Toronto's next game on Tuesday, they will look to turn things around as right-hander Chris Bassitt (2-0, 0.77 ERA) is set to take the mound against Houston's Ronel Blanco (1-2, 6.48 ERA).
As the season progresses, the Astros are beginning to look like contenders in the American League West, and with performances like Brown's, they could be poised for a strong run. Fans at Dalkin Park witnessed a masterclass in pitching and a powerful display of offense, leaving them hopeful for what lies ahead.
The Astros are now gearing up for their next challenge, looking to build on this momentum while the Blue Jays aim to shake off their recent struggles and find their rhythm again. Both teams will be eager to make a statement in their upcoming matchups, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as the season unfolds.
