Texas broke it open with a 4-run 2nd, and the Blue Jays handed most of it to them: a throwing error opened the door, Corey Seager doubled home a run, Evan Carter cashed in a bases-loaded grounder, and Jake Burger scored on a wild throw from shortstop Ernie Clement trying to force a runner at third. Toronto never got closer than that inning left it, scratching across its only run in the 5th while Texas tacked on more in the 5th, 6th and 8th.
The final tally: 3 Toronto throwing errors, two of them by third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, and 10 walks issued by the pitching staff. Six of Texas's 7 runs came around unearned. Trevor Williams threw 4 scoreless innings in relief to close it out, a far cleaner effort than either team's night in the field.
Both sides walked in banged up in different ways — Toronto without shortstop Andres Gimenez (hamstring) and long since without Anthony Santander (60-day IL), Texas missing Pederson's bat from the middle of the order — but it was Toronto's own miscues, not either lineup's health, that decided this one.
- Day-To-DayAndres Gimenez (SS) — Gimenez is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup against the Rangers on Friday due to a hamstring injury, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.09/18
- 10-Day-ILRudy Martin Jr. (RF) — The Blue Jays selected Martin's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.09/14
- 10-Day-ILLuis Urias (2B) — The Blue Jays announced Monday that Urias (quadriceps) will be shut down for the next two weeks, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.08/10
- 15-Day-ILShane Bieber (SP) — Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that it "would be tough" for Bieber (shoulder) to return from the 15-day injured list before the end of the regular season, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.09/18
- 15-Day-ILTrey Yesavage (SP) — Yesavage (knee) will throw a bullpen session this weekend and is on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list either Sunday or Monday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.09/16
- 15-Day-ILJameson Taillon (SP) — Taillon (elbow) revealed his "season is over" Tuesday and confirmed he'll be evaluated by Dr. Keith Meister in Texas on Sept. 22, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.09/15
- 60-Day-ILAnthony Santander (RF) — Santander (shoulder/back) is scheduled to play in the outfield for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.09/18
- 60-Day-ILCody Ponce (SP) — Manager John Schneider said that Ponce (knee) would be a candidate to return from the 60-day injured list only if the Blue Jays make the postseason and advanced deep into October, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.09/07
- 60-Day-ILPatrick Corbin (SP) — Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Saturday that Corbin (shoulder) is a "long shot" to return from the 60-day injured list this season, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.09/07
- 60-Day-ILJonatan Clase (LF) — The Blue Jays transferred Clase (foot) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.08/27
- 60-Day-ILYimi Garcia (RP) — Garcia (elbow/neck/biceps) underwent thoracic outlet surgery Thursday and will miss the rest of the season, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.08/26
- 60-Day-ILJake Bloss (SP) — The Blue Jays recalled Bloss from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday and placed him on the 60-day injured list while he recovers from a right teres major strain, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.08/12
- 60-Day-ILAddison Barger (RF) — Barger is expected to be sidelined six months following surgery Monday to repair his right elbow UCL, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.07/27
- 60-Day-ILJose Berrios (SP) — Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Berrios underwent full Tommy John surgery Wednesday in addition to having a stress fracture repaired, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.05/27
- 60-Day-ILBowden Francis (SP) — The Blue Jays placed Francis (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.05/08
- Day-To-DayJoc Pederson (DH) — Pederson (hand) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Blue Jays.09/18
- Day-To-DayMacKenzie Gore (SP) — Gore took a no-decision Wednesday against Boston, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks in four innings. He failed to record a strikeout.09/17
- 10-Day-ILKyle Higashioka (C) — Higashioka (forearm) served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-5 for Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.09/05
- 15-Day-ILPeyton Gray (RP) — Texas placed Gray on the 15-day injured list Monday due to right elbow inflammation.08/31
- 60-Day-ILCole Winn (RP) — The Rangers transferred Winn (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday.09/18
- 60-Day-ILJack Leiter (SP) — Leiter (ankle/biceps) has begun playing catch again and is expected to throw a bullpen session this weekend, MLB.com reports.09/18
- 60-Day-ILMichael Helman (CF) — Helman (hand) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.09/15
- 60-Day-ILCarter Baumler (RP) — Baumler (intercostal) will begin a rehab assignment for Triple-A Round Rock this week, MLB.com reports.08/31
- 60-Day-ILJose Corniell (RP) — The Rangers placed Corniell on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with an elbow injury, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.07/30
- 60-Day-ILJalen Beeks (RP) — The Rangers transferred Beeks (forearm) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.07/21
The result tightened the race on both ends: Texas (77-77) reached .500 for a league-leading 23rd time this season and pulled even with Houston atop the AL West while closing to within a game of the White Sox for the last AL wild-card spot. Toronto (76-78), the defending AL champs, fall 2 games back in that same wild-card chase with the finale still to come.