Heading back north for a decisive fifth game at Rogers Centre would leave the AL West champions in a bad spot, as only five times have clubs allowed a 2-0 advantage in the division to slip away. “I want to win every single game, and that’s basically the mentality I took in”. Tons of treatment to be honest with you.
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“I wasn’t really thinking about the situation”, Estrada said.
No, not everyone does what Odor does just about everyday he plays.
Tulowitzki’s four RBIs are the most by a Jay in the post-season since Joe Carter’s four in clinching the 1993 World Series.
Tulowitzki’s two-out homer in the sixth put the Blue Jays up 5-0.
There was little to get them fired up this game as Estrada was masterful.
That was two innings after he drew a bases-loaded walk. “He had that long layoff with the injury”. Keuchel has been asked about his home dominance often, and on Saturday, he jokingly supposed that “maybe it’s the temperature” set by the Minute Maid Park air conditioner.
“If he catches fire, we’re real unsafe.” the manager added.
Estrada passed the test, as the starting pitcher allowed one run on five hits to help visiting Toronto record a 5-1 victory against the Texas Rangers.
The beeping sound you hear is the Blue Jays season on life support as they limp into Arlington to try and begin their three-game win streak.
“He’s day to day, has made a few improvement, continues to get better”, Manager Jeff Banister said.
After going for tests at a hospital, Beltre returned to the clubhouse about an hour after the game and walked gingerly. Aaron Sanchez threw a 1-2-3 eighth for the Jays, while Roberto Osuna shut the door in a flawless ninth (despite David Price getting loose in the pen for Toronto).
Josh Donaldson led the frame off with a double, and after Jose Bautista flied out to center, Martin Perez walked both Edwin Encarnacion (intentionally) and Chris Colabello (unintentionally) to load the base for Troy Tulowitzki. When Tulowitzki drove that ball into the left-field stands, Toronto could breathe.
The veteran pitcher said he was confident that he will get a chance to make another start.
Price hit Odor with a pitch for the second straight at-bat, and Chirinos homered for a 4-1 lead.
The first 57 ABs came in 15 playoff games in 2007 and 2009 for the Colorado Rockies, who traded the shortstop to Toronto on July 27.
Kevin Pillar doubled home Russell Martin in the bottom half, but Toronto left a runner at third when pinch-hitter Ezequiel Carerra, batting in Donaldson’s spot, hit an inning-ending groundouty.
-3B Josh Donaldson was back in the lineup Friday and hit a first-inning homer after taking a knee to the head in a slide at second base in the fourth inning Thursday to break up a double play.
He struck out four and walked none in a typically efficient 89-pitch outing that featured 57 strikes.
Texas had a consolation run from Elvis Andrus, but it was a win for the Blue Jays and they will look for another one in Game 4.
Although the Blue Jays did squander three great scoring opportunities in the fourth and fifth inning, there was a lot to like about the Jays in this game. Toronto is a good ball club, really good offence.
Tulo made certain it was.
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The Texas Rangers’ bullpen is off to a strong start to the postseason, with Jake Diekman leading the charge.
