A day after the Houston Astros did not add pitching at the trade deadline, one of the starters they are counting on to contribute down the stretch helped them even a series.
In his second outing back from Tommy John surgery, right-hander Hayden Wesneski worked a quality start that gave the Astros' offense time to stir in a 7-2 win over the Blue Jays at Daikin Park. Houston, which had a six-game winning streak snapped Monday, has won 12 of 14 and sits at 59-56.
More impact from the bottom half of its lineup, a trend on this homestand, buoyed it Tuesday. Jose Altuve struck three hits, scoring twice and driving in two runs from the sixth spot. Taylor Trammell's three-run home run off Toronto reliever Chad Dallas capped a four-run fifth.
That backed an encouraging start by Wesneski, who allowed two runs across six innings. Turning from the asking prices for pitching Monday leaves the Astros relying on two starters - Wesneski and Ronel Blanco - who recently returned from elbow surgeries.
General manager Dana Brown described their returns Monday as "in itself like a trade acquisition," a platitude that may resemble one less if both perform. Houston has won each of Wesneski's starts, an auspicious beginning to that plan.

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