Toronto Blue Jays vs Texas Rangers Box Score on Jun 19, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Jun 20, 2017

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Josh Donaldson drove in the tying run and Kendrys Morales' base hit drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning in the Toronto Blue Jays' 7-6 comeback victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday night.

The Blue Jays sent eight hitters to the plate and scoring twice with three hits and two walks against Texas closer Matt Bush (2-2), who blew his third save attempt in 11 opportunities.

Right-hander Jeff Beliveau (1-0) picked up the victory by working a scoreless eighth.

Right-hander Roberto Osuna pitched a perfect bottom of the ninth for his 18th save. Left-handed reliever Aaron Loup played a key role in keeping Toronto in the game, entering ro get the Blue Jays out of a bases-loaded jam with one out in the fifth. He retired all five batters he faced in the fifth and sixth with three strikeouts.

Ryan Goins led off Toronto's half of the ninth with a double. Kevin Pillar popped out to second before Donaldson delivered a base hit to tie the score. Jose Bautista, who had a home run in the Blue Jays' four-run fourth, walked to bring up Morales, who drove in Donaldson.

Justin Smoak hit his 20th home run in the second. Left fielder Steve Pearce had a three-run double.

Adrian Beltre's double in the Rangers' five-run fourth put Texas up 6-5.

Beltre's hit also moved him farther up baseball's statistical ladder, passing Al Kaline for 37th with 1,583 RBIs. He also tied Luis Gonzalez for 17th with his 596th double and matched Cal Ripken Jr. with 1,078 extra-base hits, 23rd all time.

Elvis Andrus contributed a two-run single in Texas' big inning, which was boosted by three walks off Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada.

Nomar Mazara had a solo home run in the first inning for Texas.

Neither starter figured in the decision.

Texas journeyman Austin Biben-Dirkx, who spent 2013-15 in Toronto's organization, gave up five runs, five hits and a walk while striking out five in five innings.

Offensively, the Rangers figured out Estrada, who entered having limited Texas to one earned run in six of his seven career starts against them. In his last start in Texas, Estrada was masterful, giving up one run in 8 1/3 innings in Game 1 of the ALDS in October.

Monday, though, marked a fourth straight poor outing.

In four starts in June, Estrada is 0-4, having given up 34 runs, 24 hits and seven walks in 16 1/3 innings.

Home runs had been a problem. He had allowed 10 in his previous 44 1/3 innings entering the game. Walks, though, were his demise on Monday.

He issued four free passes.

The Blue Jays appeared to break the game open with four runs in the fourth inning.

Bautista started the rally with a one-out solo home run to left. Kendrys Morales followed with a double and Smoak a single. Troy Tulowitzki struck out, but Martin walked with two outs.

Pearce lined a double to left that cleared the bases.

The Rangers answered, however, with five of their own in the bottom half of the inning while chasing Estrada from the game.

Andrus snuck a two-run single through the left side on a sharply hit ball, and Beltre's three-run double put Texas up a run.

Between the two teams, they sent 15 hitters to the plate in the fourth inning and combined for 79 pitches.

NOTES: The Blue Jays placed RHP Joe Smith (shoulder inflammation) on the 10-day DL and recalled RHP Leonel Campos from Triple-A Buffalo. ... Texas recalled RHP Tanner Scheppers from Triple-A Round Rock and optioned OF Jared Hoying to Round Rock. ... RHP A.J. Griffin (intercostal strain) was moved from the 10-day DL to the 60-day DL.