Ninth-inning dramatics lift Jays over Texas

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons keeps saying that right-handed starter Marco Estrada “is not going anywhere,” despite his recent struggles.

But Gibbons was wrong. Estrada is going somewhere. Unfortunately for the Jays, it’s to the showers all too early.

After lasting just 3.1 innings in his last start on June 13 against Tampa Bay where he gave up a career-high 12 hits, Estrada was pulled after 3.2 innings on Monday night against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park.

He had been staked to a 5-1 lead going into the fourth but had to leave the game after giving up five runs in the inning. In his four starts in the month of June, Estrada has given up 35 hits and 23 runs in 14.7 innings pitched. He’s also given up 12 first-inning earned runs in 15 starts this year.

In Monday’s start, Estrada gave up six runs on seven hits and walked four. But on this night, the Jays bullpen, including Dominic Leone, Aaron Loup, Jason Grilli, Jeff Beliveau and closer Roberto Osuna stepped up, not allowing a run or even a hit after Estrada was pulled as Toronto came back to score two in the top of the ninth off reliever Matt Bush to beat the Rangers 7-6.

Earning the win was Beliveau, who pitched a scoreless eighth, including two strikeouts while Osuna retired the Rangers onetwo-three in the ninth to pick up his 18th save of the season.

The Rangers got on the board first when left-fielder Nomar Mazara slammed an Estrada offering into the second deck in right in the first inning.

In the second, Toronto’s home run king, Justin Smoak, cleared the fence in right-centre with a solo shot to tie the game 1-1.

Smoak’s shot gives him 20 homers on the season, tying a career high. Smoak went 3-for-4 with a walk on the night.