The Texas Rangers (2-1) fall to the Toronto Blue Jays (1-2) by a final score of 5-1 in Arlington Texas.
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Lance Lynn appeared to be the likely choice for the Cardinals, but he threw an inning of relief on Saturday. The Blue Jays just need one break out game to feel like they are back in this series.
The series shifts down from north of the border Sunday as the Rangers return home to Arlington with a chance to close it out.
BELTRE’S BACK: Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre was out of the lineup for the second game in a row with a strained lower back that forced him to exit early from the series opener. I think I’ve had stretches over the last three years where I’ve been pretty good as a Blue Jay, and I’ve had stretches where I haven’t been so good.
It marked the first time this season Diekman pitched two innings in back-to-back games, but he showed no ill effects.
They struck again in the fourth inning when Josh Donaldson doubled to start the inning.
The Astros could wrap up the best-of-five matchup with a win over the defending AL champions in Game 4 on Monday.
Estrada finished the regular season with a 13-8 record and a 3.13 earned-run average, which was fifth-best in the American League.
History was not on Toronto’s side going into Sunday’s game. Blue Jays fans can listen to the action on SN590 The Fan, while Rangers fans may do likewise on 103.3 ESPN. Still, the patient and powerful Blue Jays offense took advantage of five walks and left its mark with nine hits, highlighted by Troy Tulowitzki’s two-out, three-run home run off Chi Chi Gonzalez in the sixth. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you what I learned, defeats the goal, but yes, I saw a few things and I’ve got to go out there and try to use that, I’ve also got to use my strength and find a few other weaknesses on them, too”.
Catcher Dioner Navarro doubled to centre field to open the third and moved to third on Pillar’s single and scored on Ryan Goins’ double-play groundout for a 1-0 lead.
Both sides got off to slow starts in the first two innings, with each side going down 1-2-3 in the first and second innings.
The 32-year-old Estrada came to Toronto from Milwaukee after trade last November for Adam Lind.
Roberto Osuna retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth, although he was not credited with a save because the Blue Jays’ lead was greater than three runs when he entered the game.
Delino DeShields and Beltre hit RBI singles to give Texas a 2-0 lead in the third. Estrada was able to work all three of his pitches to perfection, and he kept the Rangers hitters off-balance all night.
The Jays had hit into double plays in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth and now looked about set to fritter away a none-out, bases-loaded, situation after Colabello grounded into a 3-2-3 double play.
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The Rangers will start Derek Holland, who went 4-3 with a 4.91 ERA in 10 starts during a season in which he missed four months after tearing a muscle in his throwing shoulder.
