(Toronto) Kevin Gausman was excellent in seven innings as the Toronto Blue Jays cruised to a 5-1 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

Gausman struck out 13 batters, tying a personal best.

“I just try to make good shots,” the right-hander said. I had several good shots with two strikes. »

Victorious in three of his last four outings, Gausman (5-3) gave up one run and four hits, without allowing a walk.

“He’s one of the best pitchers in major league baseball,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.

Daulton Varsho, George Springer and Bo Bichette backed him up with homers.

Mauricio Dubon homered on the second shot of the game, but Houston didn’t really offer more offense.

Springer turned the tide with a two-run homer in the third after Kevin Kermaier walked.

Varsho added a long ball in the fourth, on a shot just beyond the fence.

Bichette added his 13th homer of the season in the eighth, before a one-run double from Whit Merrifield.

Toronto got the job done with five hits, one more than the Astros.

In relief to Gausman, Erik Swanson and Trevor Richards have not allowed a hit in the last two innings.

The bullpen had been in high demand the day before, when Alek Manoah got just one out.

“A lot of times a game like that can affect your relievers for a few days,” Schneider said. It makes you appreciate an outing like Kev’s tonight even more. »

The Blue Jays have won five of their last six games.

Hunter Brown (5-3) allowed three runs and three hits in six innings. He allowed three walks.

The game was played in front of 30,079 people at Rogers Centre.

Wednesday night the starting pitchers will be Ronel Blanco and Chris Bassitt.