Blue Jays defeat Rangers 6-3 to win ALDS

After two games at home ended poorly for the Toronto Blue Jays, it appeared as if the hottest team in baseball for much of the second half was not ready for the postseason, finding themselves on the brink of elimination on the road. Yet after an awakening of the bats in Arlington, and timely production from the pitching staff, the Blue Jays completed the comeback this afternoon in Toronto, defeating the Texas Rangers 6-3, securing them the 3-2 series victory.

Game 5 of the American League Division Series pitted the ace of the Rangers’ pitching staff in former World Series MVP Cole Hamels against young Toronto right-hander Marcus Stroman. Both hurlers were making their second outing of the series after taking no-decisions in Texas’ 6-4 Game 2 victory.

The Rangers got to Stroman for one run in the first inning, thanks to a RBI groundout from veteran Prince Fielder, giving Texas the early advantage. Hamels was able to keep the Jays’ bats silent through the early innings as Texas tacked on another run in the third with a solo home run off the bat of Shin-Soo Choo, putting the Blue Jays down two going into the bottom of the third.

Toronto would strike in the third on a two-out double from Jose Bautista, drawing the Jays within one. Both starters continued to cruise until Edwin Encarnacion smacked a solo shot off of Hamels in the sixth, bringing the score to a 2-2 tie.

While Texas was able to jump back in the lead in the top of the seventh, thanks to a costly throwing error from catcher Russell Martin, Texas was not able to hold on, as the Rangers’ October struggles of the last decade continued.

A defensive meltdown ensued in the bottom half of the seventh for the Rangers, who committed three errors on rather routine plays to start the inning, which encouraged a Toronto rally. After drawing even with the Rangers on a fielder’s choice, the Blue Jays would later capitalize on a grand opportunity to permanently take the lead.

Bautista, who earlier had delivered a two-out RBI double in the third, launched a two-out, three-run home run into center, putting the Jays up 6-3, a lead they would hold on to, securing a game and series victory over the Texas Rangers.

The Blue Jays showed perhaps more resilience than any other team in the postseason thus far, tying up the ALDS by winning two road games, and closing it out with a remarkable come from behind victory. Toronto awaits the winner of Wednesday’s Game 5 between the Astros and the Royals in the American League Championship Series, set to begin Friday night.

As for the Rangers, another year defined by late-season struggles will perhaps leave their fan base with something to be desired. The defensive meltdown and loss of their series lead is added on to the list of late season failures, including the late collapse in the 2011 World Series, relinquishing a two-run lead with two outs and two strikes in the ninth inning to the Cardinals in a clinching Game 6. The Rangers’ loss of the American League West lead in 2012, and their failure to qualify for the postseason in 2013 comprise what has been a collection of late season disappointment for the Texas Rangers.