Jays blow 5-1 lead but come back to beat Rangers

Morales delivers winning hit for Toronto in 9th inning

ARLINGTON, Texas — Kendrys Morales hit a go-ahead single after a tying single by Josh Donaldson in the ninth inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers 7-6 on Monday night in a matchup of AL Division Series opponents the past two seasons.

The Blue Jays won despite blowing a 5-1 lead in their first visit to Texas since last post-season, when they won the first two games in a best-of-five sweep that was their second straight ALDS victory over the two-time defending AL West champs.

Donaldson’s single off closer Matt Bush scored Ryan Goins, who just beat the throw to second for a leadoff double. Morales’ hit to the gap in left-centre scored Donaldson from second after a stolen base and a walk. It was the third blown save in 11 chances for Bush (2-2).

Jeff Beliveau (1-0) pitched a perfect eighth, and Roberto Osuna worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 18th save in 22 chances.

Toronto’s Steve Pearce and Adrian Beltre of the Rangers traded three-run doubles in the fourth inning, with Beltre’s liner to right-centre capping a five-run inning for a 6-5 lead that held up until the ninth.

Jose Bautista, who took a punch to the jaw from Rougned Odor in a wild brawl in Toronto’s last regular-season game at Texas last season, started the Blue Jays’ four-run fourth with his 12th home run, a 442-foot shot over the lower-deck seats in left.

Elvis Andrus had a two-run single before Beltre’s hit as three pitchers for both teams combined for 79 pitches in the fourth.

Justin Smoak had three hits, including a career high-tying 20th homer to get the Blue Jays even in the second after Nomar Mazara’s ninth homer for Texas in the first, a 435-foot drive to the second deck in right.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: LHP Francisco Liriano (3-2, 5.36 ERA) makes his fourth start since returning from a left shoulder injury. He’s coming off his longest outing of the season, seven innings against Tampa Bay. He gave up three runs — two earned — with nine strikeouts in a no-decision.

Rangers: RHP Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.67).

BLUE JAYS SIGN DRAFT PICKS

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have signed 24 of their 41 selections from this year’s MLB draft, including the son of Cy Young winner Roger Clemens.

First baseman Kacy Clemens was drafted by Toronto in the eighth round of last week’s draft out of the University of Texas and signed with the club on Monday.

The Associated Press Steve Pearce of the Toronto Blue Jays follows through on a bases-clearing double as Texas Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy looks on during fourth-inning AL action in Arlington, Texas, on Monday. The Blue Jays won 7-6.

The Associated Press Toronto Blue Jays’ Russell Martin slides safely into home as Texas Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy leaps for a high throw during Monday’s game.