Texas’ seldom-used backup infielder Hanser Alberto thrived in his moment in the spotlight, hitting a tiebreaking single in the 14th inning that helped the Rangers beat Toronto 6-4 on Friday, taking a 2-0 lead in their American League Division Series. “I expect to have better results out there on the field”. In his final 11 starts, his ERA was 3.38. Price was pitching for a team that was appearing in the postseason for the first time since 1993.
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“It didn’t affect me”, Price insisted of the long layoff. The Blue Jays escaped the jam when first baseman Chris Colabello turned an unassisted double play, tagging out Hamilton near the bag before sprinting across the diamond to retire Fielder, who was hung up between third and home plate. And right now, it looks like it will be at least one year more. He didn’t give up many hits (five).
“It’s frustrating, yes”, Price said.
Getting lost in the numbers is especially probable if the Jays manage to keep themselves in the playoffs. That’s something I always say. “I have my plan for [Sunday.] Attack, that’s the key”. After scoring three runs Thursday in the 5-3 win, he scored two more runs, including the go-head run in the 14th, as he went 1-for-5 with a walk.
-RHP Marcus Stroman will start Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers Friday at Rogers Centre. If he can do that Sunday and turn the game over to his bullpen, he’ll be in good shape. This will be his first start against the Rangers since July 19, 2014, when he pitched seven shutout innings in a 4-1 victory. He said he also pitches with a few hate.
After going 7-6 with a 4.36 earned-run average in Milwaukee last season, Estrada was 13-8 with a 3.13 ERA – which ranked fifth in the AL – in a career-high 28 starts with Toronto this year.
“We don’t anticipate any problems”, said Gibbons.
The right-hander scattered five hits over seven innings, giving up three runs – two earned – with five strikeouts and two walks. “I didn’t pitch the way I’m capable of”.
“He’s not the most experienced umpire, kind of young”, Martin said. The Royals came from behind with two runs in the sixth to knot the score at 4-4 and notching what proved the decisive run on Ben Zobrist’s seventh-inning single.
Gibbons calls his changeup as good as any in baseball. “We’ll see how he is tomorrow”.
Kela got out of the inning – on an Edwin Encarnacion fly ball that DeShields caught with his back close to the center-field wall.
Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter greeted Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks rudely, blasting a solo homer to center field to lead off the bottom of the first inning in Game 2 of the NLDS.
“You wonder if 50,000 could be wrong”, Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar said.
“It’s a tough pitch to hit”, said reliever Brett Cecil, now sidelined with a calf injury. “If you look at it on the level of social media, something as simple as looking at the following you have on Twitter and Instagram”. I think I have something like 20,000 Twitter followers since my first day with the team.
“It’s a big game for us, I mean we’re at home…”
QUOTE TO NOTE: “He came out, precautionary, I think he got a little light-headed”.
On the other hand, even in two losing efforts the Jays have shown how incredible of a sports city Toronto can be when they have a victor. He passed concussion tests. Bautista left Thursday after the eighth inning with a hamstring cramp…. He was expected to play October 9.
-INF Maicer Izturis (right shoulder surgery in June 2015) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27 with a strained right groin, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 1.
Pinch-runner Dalton Pompey made it to third with two outs in the 12th after Chris Colabello opened the inning with a single, but Shawn Tolleson shut down the Jays’ rally.
-OF Michael Saunders (bone bruise in left knee) went on the 15-day disabled list May 10, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on August. 25.
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In an effort to remain in the series, Beltre had a cortisone shot.
