Ernie Clement rescues Blue Jays against Rangers

Field Level Media|published: Fri 26th July, 22:42 2024

Jul 26, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Spencer Horwitz (48) hits a two-RBI double against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Ernie Clement hit a walkoff single in the ninth and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the visiting Texas Rangers 6-5 Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.

Adolis Garcia had a two-run home run and three RBIs for the Rangers, who had a five-game winning streak end.

Toronto left-hander Yusei Kikuchi allowed five runs, eight hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings.

Texas left-hander Andrew Heaney allowed four runs, seven hits and one walk in five innings.

Texas scored once in the first on singles by Marcus Semien, Robbie Grossman and Adolis Garcia.

Toronto scored three in the bottom of the first. George Springer singled and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walked with one out. Texas shortstop Corey Seager failed to touch second base on Danny Jansen's potential double play grounder. Spencer Horwitz stroked a two-run double and scored on Clement's double.

Texas tied the game 3-3 in the third. Seager and Grossman singled. Toronto center fielder Kevin Kiermaier made a diving catch on Wyatt Langford's drive to right center, but Nathaniel Lowe walked and Jonah Heim hit a two-run single.

Toronto scored one in the fourth when Davis Schneider doubled and Leo Jimenez singled.

Texas took a 5-4 lead in the fifth with Garcia's 18th homer of the season, a drive to the right-field corner. It scored Langford, who had chopped an infield single to third.

Toronto tied it in the seventh. Jonathan Hernandez allowed Springer's infield hit and Justin Turner's double. Guerrero was walked intentionally to load the bases and Jansen hit a sacrifice fly. Jacob Latz replaced Hernandez and Horwitz lined out to right with Turner doubled up at second.

Toronto's Chad Green (3-2) entered with two out in the eighth and retired four consecutive batters.

Josh Sborz (2-1) allowed Turner's one-out single in the ninth. Steward Berroa ran for him and stole second. Guerrero walked. Kirby Yates replaced Sborz and walked Horwitz with two out before Clement singled.

Toronto traded right-hander Yimi Garcia to the Seattle Mariners Friday for outfielder Jonatan Clase and catcher Jacob Sharp, recalled right-handers Yerry Rodriguez and Zach Pop from Triple-A Buffalo and optioned right-hander Ryan Burr to Buffalo.

--Field Level Media

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