For the first time this season, backup catcher Hank Conger was in the starting lineup two days in a row. Regular starter Jason Castro, who was also out of the lineup Saturday night, was available on the bench Sunday afternoon in the series finale against Blue Jays lefthander Mark Buehrle.
Castro, who bats lefthanded, is 0-for-7 in his career against Buehrle. He is also batting .192 against lefties compared to .235 against righthanders. Rookie Preston Tucker, another lefthanded batter, was out of the lineup after starting three consecutive games.
Third baseman Luis Valbuena and left fielder Colby Rasmus were the only left-handed bats in the Astros’ lineup as Hinch started five righthanded batters and two switch-hitters against Buehrle.