Texas justice
Rangers roll into Toronto, take Game 1 from Jays
TORONTO — A big day by the bottom of Texas’ batting order helped the 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 53 Thursday in their AL Division Series opener as postseason baseball returned to Toronto 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 basemen left with injuries: Beltre exited in the third with a strained muscle in his lower back and Toronto’s Josh Donaldson in the fifth after he was kneed in the head while sliding in an attempt to break up a double play.
Rangers manager Jeff Banister said he wasn’t sure whether Beltre would be available for Game 2 on Friday. In an effort to remain in the series, Beltre had a cortisone shot.
“Obviously we want Adrian in there,” Banister said. “He’s the heart and soul of this ballclub.”
After going for tests at a hospital, Beltre returned to the clubhouse about an hour after the game and walked gingerly. An MRI confirmed Beltre had a strained back but no structural damage, general manager Jon Daniels said.
“We haven’t ruled him out of tomorrow’s game,” Daniels said. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Donaldson felt light-headed while playing defense in the top of the fifth, forcing the AL MVP candidate to come out of the game.
“They check for concussions, and apparently he passed all the tests. So that’s good news,” Gibbons said.
Yovani Gallardo (10) allowed two runs and four hits in five innings.
“That’s what we really needed from him,” Banister said. “I think he did a great job.”
Gallardo is 40 with a 1.78 ERA in four career starts against Toronto.
Keone Kela, Jake Diekman and Sam Dyson finished, with Dyson getting a save.
Pitching on 11 days’ rest, Price (01) allowed five runs and five hits in seven innings. He dropped to 16 with a 4.79 ERA in 11 postseason games, and is 06 in six playoff starts.
“I expect to have better results,” a subdued Price said.
Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista hit a solo homer in the sixth, then left with a sore right hamstring after popping out in the eighth and was replaced in right by Dalton Pompey. The Blue Jays said Bautista is expected to play Friday.