Bracing for an impact
Rangers: Intensity of fans in Toronto will be a challenge
TORONTO — The Blue Jays enjoy a raucous homefield advantage when Rogers Centre is packed and their fans smell victory.
Despite some recent blemishes, including an ugly scene during the seventh inning of Game 5 of the AL Division Series a year ago, there’s no denying Blue Jays fans are loud and proud. Underline and bold “loud,” because a sellout crowd with the roof closed turns Rogers Centre into a reverberating noise machine.
That is part of the task facing the Rangers, who hope to stave off elimination in Game 3 today.
Rangers outfielder Carlos Gomez appreciates the Blue Jays’ fans “intensity.”
“They’re passionate,” he said. “It’s like my hometown in the Dominican, 10,000 people feels like it’s 100,000. It’s fun. If you take it in a good way, that’s motivation to come here and play the right way.”
Every opposing stadium is tough in the playoffs, shortstop Elvis Andrus said, but he acknowledged the decibels in Toronto.
“They get a little loud in here, we can hear them,” he said. “You find a way to not get distracted by that. We know they’re going to be loud [today].” Liriano has concussion: Blue Jays left-hander Francisco Liriano suffered a concussion when he was struck on the back of the head by Carlos Gomez’s line drive in Game 2.
Head trainer George Poulis said Liriano felt good after tests Saturday but that there is no timetable for his return.
“We’re going to examine BLUE JAYS VS. RANGERS Game 1: Blue Jays 10-1 Game 2: Blue Jays 5-3 Game 3: 7:30 p.m. today Rangers (Lewis 6-5) at Blue Jays (Sanchez 15-2) Game 4: 1 p.m. Monday* Rangers (Perez 10-11) at Blue Jays (Stroman 9-10) Game 5: 9:30 p.m. Wed.* Blue Jays at Rangers him each day and just go from there,” Poulis said.
Players who suffer a concussion must be cleared by Major League Baseball before returning.
Liriano left Friday after being struck by the ball, which ricocheted into right field for an RBI single.
He was replaced by Roberto Osuna, who got the final five outs in the Blue Jays’ victory.
Liriano left the ballpark Friday on a stretcher and, for precautionary reasons, his neck immobilized.
He was taken by ambulance to a hospital for tests, then was cleared to fly home with his teammates, who waited an hour on the tarmac for him to join them.
“It was one of the few times everybody was happy to wait before taking off,” Blue Jays infielder Darwin Barney said.
“Usually you want to get out of there as fast as you can. When we found out he was coming, we were all happy to wait. He’s a competitor. He took that ball of the head and didn’t even flinch. Obviously it might have rattled him a little bit but, man, he kind of showed what we’re all about out there.”
Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis is considered day to day with a sore right knee.