ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kyle Gibson rebounded from a horrendous opening day start for Texas by striking out eight over six scoreless innings, and the Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 in the rubber game of their three-game series Wednesday.
Gibson (1-0) scattered six hits with one walk while throwing 55 of 82 pitches for strikes.
“It was just nice for Gibby to get back out there and do what we expected with all of the work this guy has put in,” manager Chris Woodward said. “He looked like the No. 1 today … He kind of set the tone.”
Six days earlier, in the first opening-day start for Gibson in his nine big league seasons, the Rangers led 5-0 at Kansas City before he had thrown his first pitch. But Gibson recorded only one out while facing eight batters and giving up five runs. It was the shortest opening day start in franchise history, the shortest in the majors since 1982 and the only time he failed he to get out of the first inning.
Nick Solak homered off left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu (0-1), who struck out seven without a walk over seven innings.
“He’s impressive, to see somebody pitch like that all of the time,” Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said. “He’s our ace, and he gave us a chance.”
Marcus Semien hit his third homer for the Blue Jays, a leadoff shot in the eighth.
Ian Kennedy, the third Texas reliever, struck out three around a hit in the ninth for his second save, both in less than 24 hours. The 36-year-old right-hander went to spring training on a minor league deal with Texas, which then lost potential closers Jose Leclerc and Jonathan Hernandez to injuries.
Gibson got an out against the Blue Jays on Semien’s flyball to left on the first pitch, and had five strikeouts the first time through the order. Toronto had the bases loaded…
Leave a Reply