Decisive Moment in Extra Innings
Joey Loperfido’s three-run home run in the 11th inning provided the decisive margin as the Houston Astros defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 9-7 at Rogers Centre on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The victory improved the Astros’ record to 38-43, while the Blue Jays fell to 39-40.
The game remained tightly contested through the early innings before exploding for runs in the fourth. Houston took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when Paredes singled to center field, allowing Altuve to score. The Astros then loaded the bases in the fourth, capitalizing on a series of power hits. Diaz launched a 391-foot homer to left field to make it 2-0. Smith followed with a 436-foot home run to center, extending the lead to 3-0. Trammell then added a 421-foot shot to right field, pushing the score to 4-0.
Toronto responded in the same frame. Urías hit a 363-foot home run to left field, driving in Varsho to cut the deficit to 4-2. The Blue Jays tied the game later in the seventh inning when Varsho homered to right field (395 feet), scoring Okamoto to make it 4-4.
Astros Regain Lead Late
Houston regained the advantage in the eighth inning. Okamoto singled to left field, which allowed Springer and Guerrero Jr. to score, putting the Astros ahead 6-4. The Blue Jays fought back in the ninth inning. Loperfido reached first base on catcher's interference; the play allowed Altuve to score, tying the game at 5-5? No, the score was 4-6 before this play. The play scored one run, making it 5-6. Wait, the score was 4-6 after the 8th. Loperfido's interference scored Altuve, making it 5-6. Then Smith hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Alvarez to tie the game at 6-6.