TORONTO – As Kevin Gausman took his first steps out of the home dugout to start the ninth inning, the crowd of 41,224 fans at Rogers Centre got up with him, giving the Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher a standing ovation.

They understood what he was trying to accomplish.

Gausman pitched a complete game shutout in his best start of the season as Toronto blanked the Houston Astros 6-0 on Thursday. It was the second time in Gausman’s career he’s accomplished the feat and the first time he’s done it at home.

The gesture from the fans meant a lot to Gausman.

“It was pretty cool but I was trying to do my best to kind of tone it out,” said Gausman outside Toronto’s clubhouse. “Honestly, that ninth inning, it got so loud I couldn’t really hear my PitchCom. But I’ll take that.

“It’s a pretty

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