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 While the bullpen held the Toronto Blue Jays to two hits over the
final seven innings, the Rangers scored twice in the 14th inning to
earn a 6-4 victory and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five American
League Division Series.
"As far as our bullpen is concerned, what a phenomenal job they did
today and the zeros they put up," Rangers manager Jeff Banister
said. "
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was not surprised by the strength of
the Texas bullpen.
"No, no, we saw them early in the year," he said. "They've got some
big arms."
The Blue Jays' bullpen took a hit when left-hander Brett Cecil
suffered what Gibbons called "a significant tear in his calf."
Cecil was injured in a rundown play that ended the eighth inning.
The Blue Jays bullpen also excelled until the 14th inning when
Hanser Alberto, filling in a third base for injured Adrian Beltre,
singled in the go-ahead run against right-hander LaTroy Hawkins.
With his winning hit, Alberto atoned for an error that led to two
unearned runs in the second inning.
"I feel pretty sour in the moment because that cost us a couple of
runs," Alberto said.
"But you know, we fight until the last out. It was a team effort
and, you know, just keeping my head up and ready for the next ground
ball after that."
As for the winning hit.
"I'm just looking for the fastball every time, so finally I get it,
put a good swing and thank Odor because he's hustling," Alberto
said.
Hawkins retired the first two batters of the 14th before second
baseman Rougned Odor reached first on an infield hit.
Catcher Chris Gimenez followed with a single. Odor rounded second
and slid back to the bag after a throw from right fielder Jose
Bautista nearly caught him.
The call stood after a video review although the Rogers Centre crowd
disagreed.
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"It looked pretty clear to a lot of us that there was a little bit
of space in there," Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar said.
"Besides, I thought it passed the eye test. But we've got the best
umpires in the world for a reason so they're doing job as well."
After the review, Alberto singled to center to score Odor.
Australian right-hander Liam Hendriks replaced Hawkins.
Center fielder Delino DeShields beat out an infield single to
shortstop and another run scored.
Right-hander Keone Kela picked up the win and right-hander Ross
Ohlendorf secured the save.
The Blue Jays know they must turn things around in a hurry.
"What do we have to do?" Pillar asked. "Not lose first of all. Just
get back to what we've done. We haven't really played clean
baseball. We've pitched outstanding but it's just a matter of
stringing together some hits."
Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman allowed four runs (three
earned), five hits and two walks while striking out five in
seven-plus innings
Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels allowed four runs (two earned) and
six hits with six strikeouts in seven innings.
(Editing by Andrew Both)
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