Rangers get to Price; Beltre, Donaldson hurt

A big day by the bottom of the batting order helped the Texas Rangers overcome an injury to slugger Adrian Beltre in the start of their postseason run.

Robinson Chirinos hit a tworun homer against David Price, Rougned Odor added a solo shot and the Rangers beat the Blue Jays 5-3 on Thursday in their American League Division Series opener as postseason baseball returned toToronto for the first time in 22 years.

‘‘It means a lot to the team to come to Toronto and win that first game against a great pitcher,’’ Chirinos said.

Both starting third baseman left with injuries. Beltre came out in the third with a strained muscle in his lower back, and the Blue Jays’ Josh Donaldson, an AL MVP candidate, left in the fifth after hewas kneed in the headwhile sliding in an attempt to break up a double play.

Yovani Gallardo (1-0) allowed two runs and four hits in five innings for the Rangers. Pitching on 11 days’ rest, Price (0-1) allowed five runs and five hits in seven innings. He dropped to 1-6 with a 4.79 ERA in 11 postseason games and is 0-6 in six playoff starts.

Astros keep Royals on a leash

Collin McHugh and the Houston Astros beat the host Kansas City Royals at their own game, relying on sharp pitching and stingy defense for a 5-2 victory in the opener of their AL Division Series.

McHugh (1-0) allowed four hits, including a pair of solo homers by Kendrys Morales, while pitching around a 49-minute rain delay. He lasted six innings before turning the game over to his bullpen, which scattered three runners over the final three frames.

Tony Sipp, Will Harris and Oliver Perez got the game to Luke Gregerson, who handled the ninth to earn a save.

George Springer and Colby Rasmus went deep for the homerhappy Astros, but they also scored via the same sort of small ball the Royals used in reaching theWorld Series last season.