HOUSTON (AP) — Playing with a trade-depleted roster, Houston had a chance to cool off streaking Toronto. The bullpen just couldn’t shut the door on the powerful Blue Jays.
Chad Qualls surrendered Nolan Reimold’s tiebreaking solo homer in the ninth, and the Astros went to a 6-5 loss Thursday night.
Houston traded pitcher Jarred Cosart and utilityman Kike Hernandez to Miami in a six-player deal earlier in the day. The Astros also sent outfielder Austin Wates to the Marlins for third baseman Colin Moran, outfielder Jake Marisnick, right-hander Francis Martes and a 2015 compensatory draft pick.
Buchanan started on three days’ rest in place of Cosart, and allowed three runs and five hits in five innings.
“Buchanan did a tremendous job and had us in position to win the game,” manager Bo Porter said.
Buchanan was lifted after 64 pitches due to a team-imposed pitch count of 70 or less. He struck out three and walked none.
“I didn’t throw that many pitches and I felt that I could have gone back out there,” he said. “I am sure they were just wanting to be cautious with me being on three days’ rest. That’s their call.”
Reimold also connected in the fifth, cutting Houston’s lead to 4-3. His second homer of the season was off Qualls (1-3) and sent Toronto to its ninth win in 10 games. It was Reimold’s second career multihomer game and first since May 26, 2011.
“I was trying to be aggressive,” Qualls said. “I just wanted to be really aggressive with the fastball to get ahead. He ambushed it and hit it over the fence.”
Jose Bautista and Dioner Navarro also had solo homers for Toronto. Bautista connected for his 21st homer in the first, and Navarro tied it at four with his eighth in the sixth.
Aaron Sanchez (2-0) threw two scoreless innings for the win, and Casey Janssen pitched the ninth for his 18th save.
Jon Singleton homered for Houston, and Robbie Grossman had two hits.
The Astros scored three times in the third to open a 4-2 lead. Grossman and Marc Krauss each hit an RBI single off Drew Hutchison, and Jason Castro had an RBI double.
Hutchison was charged with four runs and six hits in three innings. He is 2-5 with a 6.64 ERA in his last eight starts.
Gregorio Petit’s run-scoring groundout gave Houston a 5-4 lead in the sixth, but Bautista tied it again with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Blue Jays: First baseman Dan Johnson was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain. The Blue Jays recalled right-hander Chad Jenkins from Triple-A Buffalo.
Astros: Either outfielder George Springer, who has been on the disabled list since July 20, or Dexter Fowler, who has been on the DL since June 27, could go on a rehab assignment during the next road trip, which starts Monday, Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow said.
ON DECK
Left-hander J.A. Happ (8-5, 4.58 ERA) starts for Toronto on Friday against his former team. The Astros are sending right-hander Collin McHugh (4-9, 3.45 ERA) to the mound.
RASMUS SCRATCHED
Toronto outfielder Colby Rasmus was scratched for being late to the stadium. “I wasn’t here when I was supposed to be here, and they punished me as they should have,” Rasmus said. Anthony Gose started in centerfield, and Rasmus entered in seventh as a defensive substitution.
HOUSTON ROTATION
Right-hander Brad Peacock, who was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, likely will take Cosart’s place in the Houston rotation, Luhnow said.
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