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Rasmus helps Jays edge Astros

Jul 29, 2013 - 12:55 AM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Colby Rasmus hit a game-winning single in the ninth inning to give the Toronto Blue Jays a much-needed 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros in the finale of a four-game set.

Edwin Encarnacion recorded a double, an RBI and two walks to finish a productive series for the Blue Jays, who were mired in a seven-game slide before taking three games from the lowly Astros this weekend.

"We have to put together as many wins as we can," Rasmus remarked. "Just keep battling, keep grinding, not get beat down with some of the things that happen that don't go our way."

Aaron Loup, Steve Delabar and Casey Janssen (3-0) each tossed a scoreless inning of relief while Todd Redmond was left with a no-decision despite striking out 10 and holding Houston to one run on three hits and two walks over six innings of work.

Brett Wallace homered for the Astros, who have dropped 10 of their last 12.

Jose Cisnero (2-2) took the loss behind Jarred Cosart, who worked out of jams most of the day as a result of four hits and five walks allowed but limited Toronto to one run over six frames.

"I was just out of sync," Cosart admitted. "You can't walk leadoff guys."

Emilio Bonifacio doubled over the head of Brandon Barnes to open the ninth, and after pinch-hitter Adam Lind struck out against Wesley Wright, Encarnacion was walked with first base open.

Rasmus worked a full count before dribbling one back up the middle and into center field to bring in Bonifacio without a play at the plate. The Blue Jays had been 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position prior to the single.

Jose Reyes scored the game's first run when he led off the third inning with a walk and was moved around the bags with a single and a flyout before racing home on Encarnacion's sacrifice fly.

Wallace tied it in the fourth by taking a 3-1 offering over the wall in right- center for his sixth home run of the year, and the Astros dodged plenty of bullets from there.

Encarnacion narrowly missed a home run in the sixth and was left stranded on third, Rasmus hit an inning-ending pop up to leave the bases loaded in the seventh, and Reyes flied out with runners on the corners to end the eighth.

Game Notes

This was the Jays' fifth walk-off win of the season ... Toronto stranded 14 baserunners while the Astros left five after going 0-for-4 with RISP ... Encarnacion went 9-for-12 with two home runs, eight RBI and four walks in the series ... Blue Jays designated hitter Jose Bautista was ejected by home plate umpire Sam Holbrook after striking out in the seventh inning ... Toronto begins a 10-game road trip in Oakland on Monday ... Houston visits the Orioles for three games starting on Tuesday.