(Toronto) Alek Manoah was already having a tough campaign. He hit rock bottom on Monday.
The Blue Jays right-hander gave up six runs in just a third of an inning and the Toronto club lost 11-4 to the Houston Astros on Monday.
“I understand it’s not an easy sport,” Manoah said. You’re going to get your ass kicked. It doesn’t change the way you work. I will not give up. »
“I will continue to work and try to find solutions. »
Corey Julks struck a blow with a grand slam. Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker had run singles, as the Astros had seven hits off the right-handed gunner.
Manoah (1-7), who hasn’t won in two months, saw his average climb nearly a point to 6.36. It was the shortest outing of his career.
“Manoah was not a shadow of himself,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. It helped us a lot. »
Manoah allowed a single to Mauricio Dubon on the first shot of the game, a sign of things to come.
Two singles, a fly ball, another single and a walk preceded Julks’ long ball.
“I thought it was a good drop ball at the knees. He found a way to slam it hard for a home run, Manoah said. I’ve worked on a lot of things, but haven’t really had a chance to deploy them. »
The Blue Jays have been defeated nine of the last 10 times he was the starting pitcher.
“We have to keep doing what’s best for him and help him get his touch back,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
Schneider had said before the meeting that there was still no question of giving Manoah in the minors. We will have to see if his performance on Monday will be a game-changer.
Alejandro Kirk put the Blue Jays (33-28) in the game in the second inning with a solo slap to Astros starter Brandon Bielak (3-2).
Daulton Varsho added a solo homer in the eighth. Bo Bichette, Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier each had two hits for the Blue Jays.
Alvarez and Tucker hit solo homers in the fourth inning for the Astros (36-24), which snapped the Blue Jays’ winning streak to four. Jake Meyers added a two-run homer in the fifth.
Bielak allowed three earned runs, 10 hits and one walk in six and two-thirds innings.
