• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Rangers, Blue Jays play rubber match north of the border

Jul 31, 2011 - 2:47 PM (Sports Network) - The rubber match of a three-game weekend set is on the docket at Rogers Centre today when the hometown Toronto Blue Jays host the Texas Rangers.

Rangers' hurler C.J. Wilson is undoubtedly eager to get back on the mound today, considering the fact that he is coming off his shortest outing of the season. The lefty gave up six runs in less than five innings against the Twins on Tuesday, yet he still owns a 10-4 record and a 3.16 ERA.

Wilson, who is 1-2 with a 2.91 ERA life-time versus Toronto, has yet to face the Blue Jays this season.

Like Wilson, Toronto?s scheduled starting pitcher for today?s game is coming off a rough outing. Brandon Morrow gave up six earned runs on nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings against Baltimore on Tuesday, halting his MLB-leading winning streak at five games. He is 7-5 overall this season with a 4.71 ERA.

Morrow didn't figure in the decision of his only previous start against Texas this season. He is now 3-4 lifetime with a 4.29 ERA against the Rangers.

Derek Holland tossed a four-hit shutout yesterday as the Rangers took down the Blue Jays, 3-0.

Holland (10-4) walked one and struck out five in his American League-leading fourth shutout this year. He is now tied with the Philadelphia Phillies' Cliff Lee for the major league lead in that category.

"It was very satisfying. Not only did he need to pitch well, but we needed to win. He kept us in the ballgame," Rangers manager Ron Washington said about Holland's performance. "It was fortunate that he went out there and pitched a pretty good game and kept them off the board."

Mitch Moreland and Mike Napoli both homered in the Rangers' second win in three games.

Brad Mills (0-1) made his first start of the season and allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five for the loss.

"Today I thought Brad (Mills) threw the ball very well. With the exception of one pitch to Moreland, he more than did his job" Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. "He certainly gave us the opportunity to not only stay in the game, but to win it."

Jose Bautista had two of Toronto's four hits as the Jays had their three-game win streak stopped.

Texas improved to 4-5 against Toronto this season.

The Rangers continue to lead the AL West by two games over the Angels, while the Blue Jays are a hopeless 12 games off the pace in the loaded AL East.