Rangers Drop Series Finale to Blue Jays

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

September 19, 2024

Blue Jays 4, Rangers 0

ARLINGTON, Texas (Sep. 19) — The Texas Rangers fell short in their bid for a series sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon, losing 4–0. The power of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was on display as he hit two solo homers in the midweek matinee. With this series in the books, the Rangers welcome the Seattle Mariners for three games starting on Friday to mark their final series at Globe Life Field in 2024. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm Central. It will be a matchup of righties as George Kirby (12–11, 3.62 ERA) will take the mound for the Mariners, while Jacob deGrom (0–0, 0.00) will get the ball for the Rangers.

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, will finish their final road trip of the season with a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, also starting on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:50 Eastern at Tropicana Field. Jose Berrios (16–9, 3.44 ERA) will toe the slab for the Blue Jays, while the Rays have yet to announce their starting pitcher for the series opener.

Guerrero Goes Deep Twice

The Blue Jays got on the board in the top of the second against Rangers starter Kumar Rocker. Addison Barger led off with a walk. Rocker followed that up by hitting Leo Jimenez with a pitch, advancing Barger to second. After Joey Loperfido struck out swinging, both runners moved up 90 feet. Moments later, Barger scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Nathan Lukes.

The Blue Jays stretched their lead to 2–0 in the top of the third. Guerrero drew a walk to open the frame, and Spencer Horwitz moved him over to second with a single to right. Shortly after Davis Schneider struck out swinging, Guerrero advanced to third when Barger flied to center. Guerrero raced home when Jimenez reached on a fielding error by Rangers third baseman Ezequiel Duran.

They extended their lead to 3–0 in the top of the seventh off Rangers reliever Matt Festa. Guerrero led the inning off with his 29th homer of the season, a solo shot to left. He hit his second solo shot of the game to center in the top of the ninth off reliever Gerson Garabito.

What Went Right for the Blue Jays

Three of the runs that the Blue Jays scored on Thursday came from the No. 3 spot in their lineup. This was the first multi-homer game for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. this season, and already the 10th of his young career. The sacrifice fly by Lukes also helped the Blue Jays’ cause, and they had a little bit of luck with the fielding by Duran in the third that plated Guerrero.

What Went Wrong for the Blue Jays

The one thing that the Blue Jays could have done better on Thursday was hit with runners in scoring position. As a team, they were 0-for-10 in that respect, leaving nine on base.

Short Afternoon for Rocker

Rangers starter Kumar Rocker was saddled with the loss in his Globe Life Field debut. He surrendered two runs, one earned, over three innings. His final line was 2 H, 2 R-1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 71 pitches/41 strikes. He has gone 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA, 12 strikeouts, and six walks through the first two starts of his major league career.

Thursday tied him for the second-most strikeouts ever recorded by a Rangers pitcher in his first two career outings. David Clyde had 14 in 1973. Rocker has 12 in 2024, tying Don Stanhouse, who had 12 in 1972.

No-Hitter Through Five

Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman did not allow a hit over five innings on Thursday. His line was 1 BB, 6 K, 58 pitches/38 strikes. Gausman departed the contest after the fifth inning due to lower back tightness. He retired 13 consecutive batters to open his outing before issuing a free pass to Nathaniel Lowe, who was the only baserunner he permitted. Gausman walked away with his fifth win of the season. His record is now 13–11 with an ERA of 3.91.

Thursday marked the third time a Blue Jays starting pitcher has pitched five no-hit innings with six or more strikeouts. Gausman joins Shawn Marcum and Dave Stieb in that category. Stieb’s outing was the first no-hitter in Blue Jays history. Gausman’s start on Thursday was the third in the majors this season of five or more scoreless, hitless innings with one or zero walks and six or more strikeouts.

Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said he thought Rocker’s stuff wasn’t as sharp and was a “little lighter” than normal.

“You’re going to have days like that,” Bochy said. “Just couldn’t quite get it going like he did his last start. Still, battled well. We could’ve come out of that with one run. The pitches caught up with him, that’s why he came out, he was just a little off today.”