Toronto Blue Jays Win Rubber Match Against Texas Rangers

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The Toronto Blue Jays used the energy of a sold-out Rogers Centre and an emotional pre-game ceremony honouring Roberto Alomar to knock off the Texas Rangers 7-3. Starting pitcher Brandon Morrow bounced back with a solid start by striking out eleven batters while the newest Jay, Colby Rasmus, picked up his first hits and RBI’s as the Jays took the rubber match of weekend series.

Prior to the game, the Jays honoured Alomar in a touching half hour ceremony to retire his number 12 after the second baseman was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame last weekend. It marked the first time in franchise history that the Jays retired the number of one its players and 46,629 fans came out in appreciation of the now Hall of Famer.

"On a day when we honoured one of the best players ever to come through this organization in front of a packed house, a lot of electricity, it was a good showing all the way around," said Manager John Farrell.

"I think everybody was so in tune to what people were saying and to see so many former players come back and Cito getting up to say a few words, in addition to the video that was on the highlight board, I think it took everybody in the ballpark back to a time when it was really rolling here. To feel that electricity…it was a great environment today."

Alomar addressed the fans on a stage constructed in behind second base and was joined on stage by former teammates, current Jay John McDonald, former Manager Cito Gaston, team President and CEO Paul Beeston and his parents.

"What a great day for me and for my family," said Alomar after the pre-game ceremony. "When I was out there on the podium, it was a great honour to be there and see so many fans and a sold-out crowd. I’m so blessed and I would like to thank the fans for appreciating what I did here in Toronto and I’m real proud to be representing them in the Hall of Fame. To me it’s been a blessing day to have my number retired."

The current roster of Jays made the day even more memorable for Alomar by getting the win. Morrow (8-5) was dominant in his seven innings on the mound, successfully mixing up his pitches and gave up just two runs, two walks and six hits.

"Brandon continued to settle into a very good rhythm," Farrell said. "He was dominant, particularly his fastball down in the bottom of the strike zone. He really had for the first time in a few starts to get his curveball in there, his split. He’s always had a devastating slider which he showed again today.

The Jays (55-3) received solid starts from every pitcher and limited the Rangers (61-48) to just three runs or less in each of the three-game series. Brett Cecil was credited with a 3-2 win on Friday while recent call-up Brad Mills suffered a 3-0 loss on Saturday.

"We’ve pitched very well this series," added Farrell. "I know they have a couple of key guys that are missing from their lineup, but still, they got some potent bats up and down the order. They can go to their bench and get a very good player.

"To think that we held them to three runs or less in each of these three games, we’re able to control the tempo and control the game from the mound – just a good series. Anytime you can go up against Texas and you can take two out of three, we feel like we’re making games, making strides for sure."

Farrell was also impressed with Rasmus as the youngster snapped his 0-for-15 streak since joining the Jays with a single in the third inning. He followed that up by chasing Rangers starting pitcher C.J. Wilson (10-5) with double off the wall in the fourth inning. He cleared the bases on the play and picked up his first two RBI’s as a Jay.

"I think the biggest thing is that over the past day or so he’s started to feel a little more relaxed," Farrell said. "He came in here there’s a lot of expectations and I think even by his own admission he felt a little tense, a little nervous, but I think the past couple of days, he’s mixed in with the group a little more."

"The two-run double, just a classic swing, I think everyone that has seen him for a while, he’s known for. I’m sure on his part to feel that he’s making a contribution is the biggest thing, but a good day for him. Glad to see him get his feet underneath him and relax a little bit and just go out and play."

Rasmus didn’t quite know what to expect when he came over in the trade from the St. Louis Cardinals, but is starting to feel more comfortable with a couple of games under his belt.

"Not knowing anybody, not knowing the coaches, just wanting to make good first impression that you’re going to do good," said Rasmus. "So the first couple of days I was definitely a little nervous I wasn’t able to do some of the stuff I want to do, but today I felt better. Hopefully that will continue."

"I was part of a win a couple of games and didn’t really do nothing, but it feels good today to be able to do something and help us get the win for sure. Different feeling, it feels good."

Great Start

The Jays got off to a great start in the first inning when Edwin Encarnacion, the last Blue Jay to ever wear number 12, hit a two-run homerun of Wilson. Bautista drew a walk to get on base and advanced to second base on a wild pitch before the homerun.

Wilson seemed to struggle with his pitches early on but also had bad luck as two errors eventually led to a pair of runs in the next two innings. In the second inning, a throwing error by shortstop Andres Blanco allowed catcher Jose Molina to reach base and then take second base. Molina advanced to third on a grounder by Aaron Hill and then scored on a single by McDonald.

In the third inning, left fielder Josh Hamilton misplayed a bloop single by Rasmus, and the centre fielder was awarded second base on the error. Rasmus advanced to third base on a wild pitch with Bautista batting and eventually scored on a fielder’s choice by Encarnacion to give the Jays a 4-0 lead.

Toronto broke the game open in the fourth inning. With one out, Hill singled to third base and then advanced to second base on a ground-out by McDonald. J.P. Arencibia, who was playing DH on Sunday, hit a hard ground ball that ate up the third baseman Michael Young and went into left field for a single with Hill scoring from 2nd base on the play. Rajai Davis then hit a double into the left field corner, but Arencibia was held up at third on a quick throw by Hamilton. Rasmus then lined the ball deep into centre field off the wall for double. He cleared the bases and put the Jays up 7-0 while chasing Wilson from the game.

The Rangers added a couple of runs in the sixth inning by getting to Morrow with three consecutive hits with two outs. Hamilton singled to left after Morrow struck out the first two batters. Then Young doubled in Hamilton and scored himself when DH Mike Napoli singled up the middle. Texas added another run in the eighth inning on a pair of doubles by Hamilton and Napoli to close the gap to 7-3.