Blue Jays top Rangers
The Toronto Blue Jays may still be in last place in the American League East but there are signs things may slowly be falling into place.
Devon Travis hit his second career grand slam and Justin Smoak and Kendrys Morales also knocked in homers as the Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers 7-6 on Friday night for their fourth win in a row. The streak goes along with big-name players returning from long term injury spells and a healthier Jays team is showing signs of life after their dismal start to the season.
“You can feel it in the clubhouse, you can feel it on the field, you can feel it in the crowd,” said Travis. “We’ve got our team back, it’s nice.”
Jays arch-nemesis Rougned Odor connected on a 1-1 pitch from Joe Smith for a three-run homer in the top of the ninth to make things very nervous for the 40,754 in attendance at Rogers Centre before Roberto Osuna came in to strike out Mike Napoli to pick up his eighth save of the season.
“A win’s a win at this time of year, no doubt, considering where we’ve been” said Jays manager about the nervewracking finish.
Travis and Ryan Goins — who had a grand slam on Wednesday night in Milwaukee — have combined for the first Blue Jays grand slams in back-to-back games since 2001.
On an 0-1 pitch from A.J. Griffin (4-2) in the second, Travis emphatically extended his hit streak to 10 games by driving his fourth homer of the season out to left field. The blast scored Justin Smoak, Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitzki, who had been activated from the disabled list earlier in the day.
“You can’t explain the presence that those guys bring not just to guys on the other team but to this clubhouse,” said Travis of Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson. “When those guys step in the clubhouse and you see their names on the lineup card, you know it’s business.”
Jays starter Mike Bolsinger went 4 2/3 innings and gave up two runs while Aaron Loup (2-0) earned the victory.
Making their returns following stints on the disabled list, Donaldson was back at third base and Tulowitzki at short. Both received rousing ovations when they came to the plate.
Donaldson doubled in his first at-bat and Tulowitzki walked twice and singled to left-centre field in the seventh.
“Not that I ever take the game for granted by any means, but when you miss as much time as I have and you get back out there, you realize what you were missing,” said Donaldson. “I always want to be out there, I always want to help our team win. It was nice to get out there and help right away.”
After giving up the grand slam, Griffin struck out Ezequiel Carrera but then left the game after just an 1 1/3 inning with a left intercostal strain. It was the shortest start for any Rangers starter this season.