Yu Darvish was outstanding, but the Texas bats were unable to back him up, as the Rangers dropped the first game of a three-game set in Toronto by a score of 3-2. Toronto DH Edwin Encarnacion got the home team out to an early lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first. The Rangers got on the board when a Craig Jentry fifth-inning groundout scored Michael Young. Toronto immediately responded when a Rajai Davis single scored Anthony Gose in the bottom of the fifth. Adrian Beltre plated a run in the seventh off an error by Toronto third baseman Omar Vizquel, but the Rangers were unable to add the tying run.
Yu Darvish picked up the loss despite pitching seven strong innings, striking out ten Blue Jays and walking just one. Toronto starter J.A. Happ went six innings, conceding just one run on two hits. The loss drops the Rangers to 68-50 overall, with their lead in the AL West reduced to just 5.5 games and both Oakland and Anaheim playing late.
For more on the Rangers, head over to Lone Star Ball. For the Blue Jays perspective, check out Bluebird Banter.
