TOM SZCZERBOWSKI/GETTY IMAGES
The Blue Jays hadn’t won a playoff game in 22 years and with game two at their home ball park, a win would be pivotal if they wish to gain any advantage in the five game series with the Texas Rangers.
After the Rangers took Game One 5-3, both teams were at it again on Friday afternoon with the Jays sending Marcus Stroman to the mound against Rangers lefty Cole Hamels.
In the top of the first, the Rangers took a quick 2-0 lead on an RBI single from Shin-Soo Choo, who also scored when Mitch Moreland reached on a fielder’s choice.
In the bottom half of the inning, Josh Donaldson, who left Game One after taking a knee to the head while sliding into second base, launched a 3-2 count over the center field fence to pull the Jays within 2-1.
But the Rangers answered right back and scored in the next inning on an RBI Sac fly to extend the lead to 3-1.
The Blue Jays offense responded to the challenge and tied the game at 3-3, highlighted by an RBI single from Russell Martin.
In the fifth, the Blue Jays finally broke through and grabbed their first lead in the series, when Ben Revere singled driving in Kevin Pillar to go ahead 4-3.
With four outs away from tying the series at 1-1, the Blue Jays gave up the tying run on a single, scoring Delino DeShields, who also singled to open up the inning.
Both teams failed to score as the game went into extra innings, lasting until the 14th when the Rangers finally broke through with two in the top of the inning. First Hanser Alberto singled on a line drive to center field driving in Rougned Odor, then DeShields hit an RBI single driving in Chris Gimenez to extend the lead to 6-4.
Ross Ohlendorf came into close the game and struck out the first two batters before hitting Martin with a pitch, then striking out Kevin Pillar to end the game and take a commanding 2-0 lead over the Blue Jays.
Rangers starter Hamels lasted seven innings, giving up four runs (two earned), on six hits, without a walk and six strikeouts, while his counterpart Blue Jays Marcus Stroman also lasted seven innings, giving up four runs (three earned), on five hits, walking two and striking out five.
Now both teams travel to Texas with the Rangers on the verge of advancing to the ALCS, with Game Three on Sunday at 8:00 pm.
Top Performers
Rangers
Delino DeShields – 3 for 7, 2 R, Double, RBI, SB
Cole Hamels – 7 IP, 6 H, 4 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 6 K
Blue Jays
Ben Revere – 2 for 6, RBI, SB
Chris Colabello – 2 for 5, R, Double, RBI
Josh Donaldson – 1 for 6, HR, RBI
Marcus Stroman – 7 IP, 5 H, 4 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 5 K
David Conde
David is the Co-Founder and Executive Editor of Legends On Deck®, as well as a Co-Host on Legends On Deck Podcast. David was a Senior Editor for MetsMerizedOnline.com, MetsMinors.net and Contributor for Hardballchat.com that spanned from 2010 to 2014. David made his MLB Debut as a writer in June 2014, while covering the NY Mets at Citi Field, for MetsmerizedOnline.com. David also coaches baseball for ages 13-15, a Babe Ruth League team in his local community. David's passion is coaching the game he loves to the future Legends of Tomorrow as well as making available a website that people can have fun sharing and reading. David is also passionate about his career as a Mortgage Loan Officer which allows him to help many families reach their dreams of owning a home. Connect with David via his Social Media pages as he loves to chat all about baseball.
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