Estrada's gem keeps Blue Jays alive
With no margin for error, right-hander Marco Estrada extended the Toronto Blue Jays' season another day.
The unheralded soft-tosser allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings against the Texas Rangers in Game 3 of the ALDS on Sunday, as the Blue Jays staved off elimination with a 5-1 win at Globe Life Park.
Struggling Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki provided the offense, going 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs. His three-run homer in the sixth inning extended Toronto's lead to 5-0.
Top Performer: Tulowitzki entered the game hitless in the series but the five-time All-Star paced the offense in Game 3. Tulo drove in the second run of the game after working a bases-loaded walk in the 4th inning and followed with a three-run homer in the sixth inning, before picking up a single in the eighth.
Starting Pitchers: After David Price and Marcus Stroman combined to allow five runs over the first three innings in their respective starts in Game 1 and 2, Estrada allowed just one runner to reach base through the first four innings. The Blue Jays starter exited after giving up back-to-back hits with one out in the seventh, finishing with four strikeouts.
Rangers starter Martin Perez cruised through the first two innings, retiring six straight before allowing a leadoff double in the third. The left-hander induced three double plays, but still allowed four runs off six hits and three walks over five innings.
| PITCHER | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estrada | 6.1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Perez | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
Turning Point: With the bases loaded and no outs, Blue Jays first baseman Chris Colabello grounded into a 3-2-3 double play, marking the fourth straight inning Toronto hit into a double play. Tulowitzki followed by depositing a three-run blast into the left-field seats, breaking the game open and giving the Blue Jays a 5-0 lead.
Up Next: Texas will hand the ball to Derek Holland for Game 4 on Monday in an attempt to try to advance to the ALCS. The left-hander missed most of the season with a shoulder strain, and managed 4.91 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP across 10 starts. Toronto counters with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who went 11-11 with a 3.91 ERA across 33 outings. Holland allowed four runs (three home runs) off seven hits and a walk in six innings against the Blue Jays in late August, while Dickey did not face the Rangers in 2015. David Price, who warmed up Sunday night, will be available out of the bullpen Monday. With all hands on deck for Toronto, Marcus Stroman will be available, too.