Houston looked dominant against Toronto
Astros explode at the plate, Greinke tosses a complete game in win over Blue Jays
Jun 4, 2021, 9:09 pm
Houston looked dominant against Toronto
Houston's offense couldn't stop scoring Friday night.
After finishing their recent homestand by winning four of the final five games, the Astros took to the road, starting with the opener of a three-game set in Buffalo against the Toronto Blue Jays Friday night. Houston began the scoring and never looked back, clobbering Toronto to back up Zack Greinke, who tossed a complete game on the mound in the win.
Final Score: Astros 13, Blue Jays 1
Astros' Record: 32-25, second in the AL West
Winning Pitcher: Zack Greinke (6-2)
Losing Pitcher: Hyun Jin Ryu (5-3)
After three quick scoreless innings to start the game, the Astros were able to start the scoring in the top of the fourth against Hyun Jin Ryu. It came after a leadoff single by Aledmys Diaz, who advanced to second on an error, went in to score on an RBI double by Yordan Alvarez to grab a 1-0 lead. Jose Altuve notched an RBI in the next inning, getting a sac fly to double the lead to 2-0. Carlos Correa added another in the next at-bat, launching a solo homer to extend the lead again, 3-0. Houston loaded the bases with one out in the top of the sixth, and with two outs, Martin Maldonado blew the game open with a grand slam, Houston's first of the season, to make it a 7-0 ballgame.
Break the game wide open, @Machete1224. pic.twitter.com/FvxSpb8eFX
— MLB (@MLB) June 5, 2021
Meanwhile, Zack Greinke was cruising along against Toronto's offense. He allowed just one hit through the first three innings and didn't allow a runner to reach scoring position until a single and walk in the fourth put two runners on, which he would both strand. He followed that with back-to-back 1-2-3 frames in the fifth and sixth as his team built up the lead behind him.
Aledmyz Diaz sent another ball over the fence in the top of the seventh, a solo homer to push the lead to 8-0. Greinke returned to the mound in the bottom of the inning and allowed his biggest mistake of the night, as Randal Grichuk destroyed a ball 459 to center field to get the Blue Jays on the board. Houston got that run back and more in the top of the eighth, sending ten batters to the plate and getting five runs on six hits, including RBIs by Maldonado and Altuve and another homer by Carlos Correa, a three-run blast to make it 13-1.
Greinke kept going in the bottom of the eighth, retiring Toronto in order once again. Despite the significant lead, his pitch count was in great shape, allowing him to return in the bottom of the ninth to finish things off. He did so, erasing a two-out single to get his first complete game since the 2017 season, the seventeenth of his career, to wrap up Houston's victory. Greinke's final line: 9.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 102 P.
Up Next: Houston will get a chance to lock up another series win with the middle game of this series starting at 2:07 PM Central on Saturday. Jose Urquidy (4-2, 3.02 ERA) will look to get the victory for Houston, while Toronto will send Ross Stripling (1-3, 5.11 ERA) to the mound.
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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