TORONTO (AP) — Expected to be an offensive force, the Toronto Blue Jays aren’t getting enough out of their big bats.
Nomar Mazara hit a tiebreaking home run in the top of the eighth, then threw out the potential tying run at home plate in the bottom half of the inning, helping the Texas Rangers beat the slumping Blue Jays 2-1 on Monday night.
The Blue Jays left eight runners stranded and suffered their fourth consecutive home loss, Toronto’s longest slump at Rogers Centre since a four-game skid from April 23-26, 2014.
The Blue Jays are an AL-worst 2-7 in one-run games.
“In these close games we’re just not executing good enough to win,” manager John Gibbons said.
Toronto has lost eight of 12 overall, but right-hander R.A. Dickey doesn’t expect the offense to stay dormant for long.
“Right now we’re sputtering a little bit but we’ve got the pedigree in here,” Dickey said. “It’s just a matter of time before we start clicking.”
Named the AL’s top rookie in the month of April earlier Monday after batting .333 with two homers and seven RBIs in 17 games, Mazara broke a 1-1 tie with a shot to center off Gavin Floyd (0-2).
“I put a pretty good swing on a changeup,” Mazara said. “I was looking for something up in the zone and that’s what he gave me.”
Brett Nicholas also homered as the Rangers, winners of five of six, took the opener of a four-game series between ALDS opponents from 2015.
Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista, whose dramatic home run and exaggerated bat flip marked Toronto’s Game 5 victory over Texas in last year’s postseason, was held in check this time. He went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.
Bautista faced Sam Dyson, who surrendered that pivotal homer last October, with runners at first and second and nobody out in the eighth. This time, Dyson won the battle by getting Bautista to line out.
“That’s what you’re here for,” Dyson said. “You’re here to compete.”
Edwin Encarnacion followed with a walk, loading the bases for Troy Tulowitzki, who flied out to right. Saunders tagged from third but was thrown out by Mazara, with the call upheld following a Toronto challenge.
“I’ve got no problem with that,” Gibbons said of the inning-ending double play. “The right fielder is on the run over to the line. (Saunders) is trying to make something happen.”
Replay was kinder to Toronto in the seventh, when Dickey left after the Rangers loaded the bases with two singles and a walk. Floyd came on to face Rougned Odor, who flied out to center. Delino DeShields tried to advance from first to second on the play but was thrown out by Kevin Pillar. Home plate umpire Cory Blaser initially ruled that Mitch Moreland had scored before DeShields was retired but the Blue Jays challenged and the call was overturned, keeping it tied 1-all.