Rangers at Blue Jays
The Texas Rangers have a chance to secure their first three-game winning streak of the season when they continue a three-game series against the host Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Joey Gallo homered to cap a four-run first inning and rookie Ronald Guzman snapped a tie with a two-run base hit in the sixth as the Rangers took the series opener 6-4 on Friday.
Nomar Mazara had three hits and two RBIs for Texas and he has driven in 10 runs over the last 10 games after going 13 consecutive contests without an RBI. The Blue Jays are 2-6 over their last eight games and have dropped three in a row by a combined four runs. Justin Smoak had four of their 10 hits in Friday's loss after slugging his third home run of the season in a 5-4 setback against the Boston Red Sox the night before. Toronto gives the ball to Jaime Garcia on Saturday opposite the ageless Bartolo Colon, who is still seeking his first victory in a Texas uniform despite a 2.59 ERA.
TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), Sportsnet One (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Bartolo Colon (0-0, 2.59 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Jaime Garcia (2-1, 4.57)
After flirting with a perfect game and finishing with 7 2/3 dominant innings at Houston on April 15, Colon gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision against Seattle six days later. He owns a 2.79 ERA and has limited opponents to a .221 average through his first three starts with Texas. The 44-year-old, who threw two scoreless innings of relief against the Blue Jays earlier in the season, is 12-7 with a 4.14 ERA in 29 career starts against Toronto.
Garcia opened the year with six solid innings against the Chicago White Sox but he failed to complete six frames in each of his next three outings. He allowed 10 runs in 15 2/3 innings in that span and has served up at least one home run in all four of his starts. The 31-year-old from Mexico got the win April 8 in Texas after yielding three runs over 5 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers C Robinson Chirinos (wrist) has missed two straight games but is expected to return Saturday.
2. Gallo is 5-for-7 with three runs scored during the two-game winning streak.
3. Blue Jays RHP John Axford was activated from the bereavement list Friday and came on to throw two scoreless innings in the loss.