Astros top Blue Jays 6-5 behind late winner

Tyler Whitaker hit the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Houston Astros defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Friday in spring training action.

WEST PALM BEACH – Tyler Whitaker hit the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Houston Astros defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Friday in spring training action.

With two outs, Whitaker’s line-drive single scored Ben Gamel after Ryan Wrobleski was walked.

Toronto, which had its five-game winning streak snapped, got going early with a three-run first inning. Andres Gimenez hit a two-run triple to open the scoring and Ernie Clement brought Gimenez home on a sacrifice fly.

After making it a one-run game, the Astros scored three in the fifth inning to take their first lead. Yainer Diaz hit a two-run homer and then Quincy Hamilton hit a ground rule double to drive Zach Dezenzo home.

In the seventh, Rainer Nunez made it a one-run game for Toronto with a single that drove Steward Berroa home after a fielding error from Houston left fielder Chas McCormick. Addison Barger then knotted the score with a sac fly that got Josh Rivera to home plate.

Hayden Wesneski surrendered two hits, three runs and four walks while striking out three batters in 3 1/3 innings as Houston’s starter.

Yariel Rodriguez gave up three hits, two runs and three walks along with striking out four batters in 3 2/3 innings starting on the mound for Toronto.

The Blue Jays next play the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday in Jupiter, Fla.