The Texas Rangers scored three runs while the Toronto Blue Jays scored two runs.
We can start by noting that the Rangers scored in the first inning of every game in this series. For a club often victimized by first inning runs, striking first proved to be an invaluable weapon for Texas this weekend in Toronto.
Today’s run came courtesy of Joc Pederson who, like on Thursday in the series opener, homered to lead off the game. Pederson’s solo dong came on the game’s first pitch, and the Rangers very nearly added more as they loaded the bases with one out against Toronto starter Shane Bieber before he wiggled out of trouble without another run crossing the plate.
And that ultimately seemed like potentially the big mistake of the day. The Rangers had fumbled their shot at following the same formula that had gotten them three wins to begin this series. After all, the Rangers had led big for much of each contest, allowing them to weather comeback bids by the Blue Jays in the late innings.
The Blue Jays threatened to nullify Texas’ scant early lead immediately in the bottom of the first as Kumar Rocker allowed a couple of singles to begin his start. However, Rocker buckled down to produce a shutdown inning and then ultimately enjoyed one of the more pleasant outings of his big league career.
Equipped with the deadly swing-and-miss slider that made him a No. 3 overall draft prospect, a slider that he sort of befuddlingly abandoned last season, Rocker only allowed two more hits and a walk in his six innings of work and struck out five, all swinging and four of which came on the slider.
Rocker’s biggest moment came in the bottom of the fifth when, in a 1-0 game, the big righty allowed a two-out single Andres Gimenez and then his defense started to abandon him. After a grounder to shortstop became a Corey Seager throwing error, with two on, Elias Diaz tried a back pick to get Gimenez at second base but the ball went off Gimenez’s helmet which allowed both runners to move into scoring position.
The Rocker of a year ago potentially collapses facing the top of the Jays’ order a third time and with the possibility of trailing with one hit. Instead, Rocker got Toronto’s No. 2 hitter Nathan Lukes to swing and miss on that money-maker slider to end the inning and the threat.
With the heart of the order due up an inning later, Skip Schumaker entrusted Rocker with the sixth inning and Rocker rewarded him with an easy inning to finish with an unblemished outing.
Now the Rangers are neck deep in a grueling early summer stretch of 15 games in 15 days that includes three consecutive road series. The pitching depth, especially in the bullpen, has become increasingly thin. There are going to be moments where some guys come in for appearances you probably wouldn’t want them to during this stretch and honestly most of that time that’s when Cole Winn comes into a game that the Rangers could maybe win.
After the Rangers got a bases loaded single from Diaz in the top of the sixth to make it a 2-0 game, a rally in which they failed to break open the game, Winn came on and tossed a scoreless seventh inning but then was tasked with going the eighth as well. After an out, he allowed a single to Jays’ leadoff hitter George Springer and then a home run to Lukes, a two-run shot that tied the game in the eighth.
As AJM noted, it was just the second home run that Winn had ever allowed to a left-handed batter. Nevertheless, the game was now tied and Rocker’s effort was erased. The tie game also allowed the Blue Jays to send in Louis Varland, who has been among the best relievers in the game this season.
After two quick outs, Josh Jung doubled and then was lifted for pinch runner Jarred Kelenic with Schumaker desperate to avoid extra innings and hoping that Corey Seager could come through with a go-ahead hit.
Instead, Varland unfurled a first pitch changeup for a wild pitch that the Jays showed no real urgency in fielding and Kelenic scored all the way from second base to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead.
That would become a 3-2 victory after Tyler Alexander tossed a scoreless ninth.
With the win, the Rangers collected a full four-game sweep of the Blue Jays – three of which were by one run – and leave Canada all the way back at .500.
Player of the Game: It’s Rocker, who enjoyed a quality start as the return to prominence for his slider continues to be a positive development. Unfortunately for him, the lack of run support and Winn existing prevented him from earning a win.
The Rangers won, though, so I’m sure he’s not sweating it.
Up Next: The Rangers return to the states to take on the Cleveland Guardians for the final leg of this lengthy road trip. The starting pitcher for Texas in the opener has yet to be determined while Cleveland will opt for LHP Parker Messick.
The Monday evening first pitch from Progressive Field is scheduled for 6:10 pm CDT and will be aired nationally on ESPN.
