Blue Jays 12, Rangers 4
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Toronto Blue Jays continued their bludgeoning ways by running their winning streak to five games with a 12-4 thumping of the Texas Rangers.
In the five wins, the Blue Jays (71-55) have scored 54 runs and they're now 18-4 in August.
Toronto trailed 2-0 but had tied the game after three innings and then took the lead for good in the fifth. That's when first baseman Justin Smoak, the first-round pick of Texas in 2008, launched a two-run homer to right off Texas starter Colby Lewis (14-6).
The Jays broke the game open an inning later when center fielder Kevin Pillar started a six-run inning with a homer to left. Third baseman Josh Donaldson added an RBI single, giving him 101 on the season. Designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion then broke the game wide open with a grand slam off Texas reliever Spencer Patton, who allowed five runs without retiring a batter.
It was the second slam of the year for Encarnacion against Texas and extended his hitting streak to 21 games. It also gave Toronto its 20th game of 10 or more runs this season, a franchise record on a night the Jays also drew 11 walks.
The offense was more than enough support for left-hander David Price. Price (13-4) allowed a two-run homer to Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre in the first inning, but he then returned to his dominant form. Texas (64-61) had three hits off Price in the first, but he ended his day after six innings and five hits allowed with eight strikeouts.
Lewis was charged with five runs on six hits in his five innings.
Smoak ripped a two-run homer off Lewis in the top of the fifth to snap a 2-2 tie. That homer came a half inning after Price struck out the side after the first two Rangers reached base.
Texas jumped on Price in the first on a two-run homer by Beltre, but the Jays came back with an RBI single from second baseman Ryan Goins and then tied the game in the third on an RBI grounder from Smoak.
NOTES: Texas 2B Rougned Odor was out of the lineup Wednesday after hurting the fingernail on his right middle fingernail Tuesday. Odor didn't lose the nail and could be back in the lineup Thursday. ... Texas picked up LHP Chris Rearick on waivers from San Diego and sent him to Triple-A Round Rock. ... Rangers C Carlos Corporan, who hasn't played since July 13 because of a sprained left thumb, began a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco. ... Toronto has reached the 70-win mark before the month of September for the first time since 2008. ... The Toronto duo of LaTroy Hawkins (42 years old) and Roberto Osuna (20 years old) combined for the win and save Tuesday. The 22-year, 48-day age difference was the largest between winning and saving pitcher since Scott Bailes and Joe Niekro teamed for the combo on June 30, 1987. ... The Blue Jays haven't been in first place this late in the season since 1993.