Toronto, ON (Sports Network) – Chris Johnson hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, and the Houston Astros rallied to beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-2, in the opener of a three-game interleague series at Rogers Centre.
Hunter Pence ignited the comeback by stroking a game-tying two-run double in the eighth off Toronto reliever Jon Rauch, who had retired the first two batters with ease.
Frank Francisco (1-1) didn’t fare as well in the ninth. After issuing a one- out walk to Matt Downs, Francisco served up a 3-2 fastball that Johnson launched over the left-field wall, giving Houston a 4-2 lead. Michael Bourn tacked on an RBI single later in the frame.
The Blue Jays went down quietly in the home half as Mark Melancon notched his second save of the season.
Bourn collected three hits for Houston, which snapped a five-game losing streak. Astros rookie Aneury Rodriguez gave up two runs and eight hits in his 5 1/3-inning start, while Johnson’s blast made a winner out of Wilton Lopez (1-1).