The Texas Rangers take on th Toronto Blue Jays today for the fifth and final time of the postseason as the two American League teams enter the decisive winner-take-all Game 5 of their ALDS baseball playoff matchup, with the series now tied at two games apiece.
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Choo connected on an inside fastball that he sent flying over the right field wall. Hamels allowed four runs over seven innings in this series Game #2 and while the Rangers eventually earned the win the former Phillies southpaw did not figure in the decision. He is following a strong performance from David Price as he is responsible for getting the Blue Jays into their first AL Championship series since 1993. He’s batting. 273 with two home runs through five post-season games.
The Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays both appeared left for dead at one point or another in their ALDS experiences, but they’re still standing after a couple of exhilarating contests.
If the Rangers are going to win this game, they first need Hamels to keep up the dominating postseason play.
The Blue Jays are a solid 16-5 in their last 21 games coming off a day of rest and 42-19 in their last 61 contests at the Rogers Centre.
Left fielder Ben Revere hit a one-out single that bounced high off Hamels’ glove before being fielded by shortstop Elvis Andrus.
Manager John Gibbons says right-hander Marco Estrada could be available in relief of Marcus Stroman.
Bautista followed with a towering drive into the second deck, glaring at Dyson as he stood at home plate to admire his go-ahead drive, enthusiastically flipping his bat away.
Up two games to none and heading back to Texas, this looked like a team that would sweep its way to the ALCS.
After Dalton Pompey pinch ran for Martin, Ryan Goins followed with a sacrifice bunt.
Bautista then homered to left to give the Blue Jays a 6-3 lead. I do believe this game will be close the whole way and it will take at least 4 runs to win it. I think Beltre is the hero with a homer to propel the Rangers into the ALCS.
“I wouldn’t necessarily count on it”, Gibbons said.
Texas opened the scoring in the first when Delino DeShields scored on a fielder’s choice by Prince Fielder.
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The Blue Jays had two more hits in the inning before shortstop Troy Tulowitzki fouled out to end the seventh and the benches emptied again briefly after Dyson patted Tulowitzki on the rear.
