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Cecil shines as Blue Jays blank Rangers

Jul 25, 2011 - 3:27 AM Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Brett Cecil tossed his first career shutout, shutting down the red-hot Rangers, 3-0, to help the Blue Jays avoid a three- game sweep.

Cecil (3-4) allowed just one runner past first base in a brilliant performance. The left-hander scattered four hits and two walks while fanning seven for Toronto, which had won three in a row before losing the first two games of this series.

Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Travis Snider each doubled in a run in the sixth inning off Alexi Ogando.

Ogando (10-4) was on the losing end of his quality start, yielding three runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.

The Rangers had won 14 of 16 coming in, nine in a row at home and scored 35 runs over Ogando's previous three outings.

There was no support against Cecil, however, as Texas had only one baserunner in scoring position the entire game. That came in the eighth when Craig Gentry led off with a single and advanced to second on a flyout.

Cecil retired Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus to maintain the 3-0 lead, then worked around Nelson Cruz's two-out single in the ninth to finish off his two- hour, 18-minute gem.

Bautista struck out with runners on the corners in the third, the only time in the first five innings either team had a runner past first base.

Bautista atoned for the missed opportunity in the sixth though, doubling to the left-center field gap to score Yunel Escobar from first base. Following an Adam Lind flyout, Encarnacion and Snider each tacked on run-scoring doubles for a 3-0 cushion.

Game Notes

Cecil had given up 15 runs over seven innings in his previous two starts against Texas. He threw 77 of his 121 pitches for strikes. His only other complete game came in a loss against Boston on July 5...Ogando had a three- start win streak snapped...Escobar had three of Toronto's eight hits...The Rangers were shut out at home for the first time since August 28, 2010 vs. Oakland...The 105-degree temperature at first pitch matches the hottest ever at Rangers Ballpark.