Blue Jays get to Verlander for dramatic ninth-inning win in Houston
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Publishing date:
Apr 22, 2022 • 14 minutes ago • 2 minute read • Join the conversation 
Blue Jays batter Matt Chapman doubles in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the ninth inning against the Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Friday, April 22, 2022. Photo by Bob Levey /Getty Images Article content
HOUSTON — Task number one for the Blue Jays on a Friday night at Minute Maid Park was to get a hit off of the often invincible Astros ace, Justin Verlander.
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Task number two? Get him out of the ball game while you’re still in it.
The Jays did just that to the sure-fire Hall of Famer, who no-hit them the most recent time he faced the Jays back in 2019.
And what resulted was a highly entertaining first round to the three-game weekend series here.
A clutch two-out double from third baseman Matt Chapman in the top of the ninth scored Vlad Guerrero Jr. all the way from first for the winning run in a 4-3 Jays victory.
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It was the second consecutive contest that newcomer Chapman drove in the decisive score after doing the same against the Red Sox on Thursday at Fenway Park.
Invincible Jordan Romano came in to pick up his MLB-leading eighth save and second in as many days, though this one didn’t come easily.
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The Markham, Ont. native had allowed the Astros to get runners on the corners with one out before striking out Jason Castro and J.J. Matijevic to end it. Romano reacted with an emphatic fist pump to finish off one of the most impressive road wins of the young Jays season.
With the triumph, the Jays increased their season-longest winning streak to three games and improved to 9-5, good enough to remain alone atop the AL East.
And with Alek Manoah on the mound for a Saturday matinee, it was an ideal start to the three-game weekend series here at Minute Maid Park.
In some regards, Friday’s contest shaped up as a pitching mismatch. Verlander, after all, was coming off an eight-inning, three-hit shutout and appears to be back as strong as ever after missing two years following Tommy John surgery.
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Swing man Ross Stripling had been strong enough in his previous outing but essentially the hope was the veteran right hander could keep his team in the game.
The Jays got essentially what they had hoped for from the right-hander as Stripling allowed three runs on five hits over four innings of work. That well-earned versatility from the 32-year-old is already paying off for the Jays.
The big damage came in a three-run third when the Astros chipped away at him with four hits and a walk.
But the Jays were able to get to Verlander enough to get back in it. A leadoff single by speedy Ramiel Tapia got it started in the fourth as he moved around to score.
And with back-to-back fifth inning home runs from Santiago Espinal and Bradley Zimmer – the first allowed by Verlander this season – suddenly the Jays had tied it at 3-3, setting the stage for the Guerrero-Chapman tandem of triumph in the ninth.
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