Toronto Blue Jays 7, Texas Rangers 2
The Blue Jays salvaged the finale of their three-game series in Arlington with a convincing 7–2 victory over the Rangers, avoiding a sweep and keeping themselves alive in the American League wild-card race.
Game story
Brett Bateman sparked Toronto from the leadoff spot, reaching base repeatedly and scoring three runs.
Nathan Lukes delivered two RBIs, while Charles McAdoo also drove in two during Toronto’s decisive four-run seventh inning.
Toronto opened the scoring in the first when Bateman walked, moved around the bases and scored on Lukes’ sacrifice fly.
Lukes later scored on Sean Keys’ RBI double to make it 2–0.
Texas tied the game in the fourth on Jake Burger’s two-run homer, but Toronto immediately regained the lead in the fifth when Bateman scored on a Kazuma Okamoto RBI single.
The Blue Jays then broke the game open in the seventh inning. Bateman doubled to start the rally, Lukes brought him home, McAdoo followed with a two-run double, and Andrés Giménez added another RBI single to put Toronto ahead 7–2.
Pitching
Toronto used a bullpen game, with Spencer Arrighetti earning the victory after throwing two innings.
Seven Blue Jays pitchers combined to hold Texas to eight hits and two runs.
Texas starter Jacob deGrom struggled with his command, allowing five hits, four walks and a hit batter before leaving in the fifth inning.
Injury note
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left the game in the fourth inning with left lower-back tightness. He had gone 1-for-2 before exiting.
Standouts
Brett Bateman: 1-for-3, 3 runs, 2 walks
Nathan Lukes: 2-for-3, 2 RBIs, 2 runs
Charles McAdoo: 1-for-3, 2 RBIs
Kazuma Okamoto: RBI single
Andrés Giménez: RBI single
Spencer Arrighetti: earned the win
Toronto finished with 11 hits and six walks, producing seven runs despite going 0-for-? on home runs—the offense manufactured runs with baserunning, timely hitting and pressure on the Rangers’ pitching.
What it means
The victory moved Toronto to 77–79 and prevented a three-game sweep by Texas.
With six games remaining at that point, Toronto remained in the American League wild-card chase.
Next: Toronto opens a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night.
