Swept - Jays Take Three Straight 5-2

John Buck (above) knocked in three RBI and the Toronto pitching staff shut down the Rangers' bats for the second consecutive game as Texas has now lost three straight. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Chris Young)

After the 11 hit, 10 run offensive explosion Friday night, you would be hard-pressed to find someone that would've thought the Texas Rangers (20-18) would score a total of two runs in the final two games of the series. But that's what happened as Toronto Blue Jays' (23-16) starters Ricky Romero and now Brandon Morrow have pitched gems in the last two games. Morrow went six innings, struck out eight batters, and gave up two runs on eight hits - a much better outing than his last when he gave up six runs in 1 2-3 innings against the Boston Red Sox.

"From pitch one I knew things were better mechanically," Morrow said. "I was able to get on a little bit of a roll and things seemed to be a lot better."

Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz, the number 3 and 4 hitters in the Rangers' lineup, went a combined 0-8 with seven strikeouts between them. Rangers' hitters left five stranded on base for the game, and grounded into three double-plays.

Colby Lewis started for Texas and seemed to be rolling along before a rough fourth inning. Lewis walked Blue Jays second-baseman Aaron Hill before striking out outfielders Adam Lind and Vernon Wells looking. Then, with two outs, things got dicey as Lewis hit a batter, gave up a single that scored Hill from second base, then gave up a walk before catcher John Buck hit a bases-clearing double - giving Toronto a 4-1 lead.

"One inning killed us today," Manager Ron Washington said.

For the game Lewis allowed five runs on three hits, along with a whopping five walks, in 5 2-3 innings

"I pretty much beat myself," Lewis said. "That's basically what it is. I had four walks and they scored five times, which should never happen."

Luckily for the Rangers they are still on top of the American League West, holding a two-game lead over the Oakland Athletics. A big test comes tonight, however, as Texas takes on the Anaheim Angels in a quick two-game set starting Monday night at the Ballpark in Arlington. The Angels come into the game at 18-21, two-and-a-half games behind the Rangers for the division lead.

Scott Kazmir (2-3, 6.82 ERA) takes the mound for the Angels, while Derek Holland (1-0, 0.00) gets the start for the Rangers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

News and Notes:

• Josh Hamilton has struck out in nine of his last 13 at bats, as his batting average has plummeted nearly 20 points from .287 to .268 in the last three games. He had only one hit in the series with Toronto.
  
• Even though the Blue Jays did some damage during the three-game set with Texas, the Rangers team ERA is 4.03, good for fourth-best in the American League.
• According to the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers have shown an interest in Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynksi. He's batting .200 for the season with two home runs and 11 RBI in 32 games, but he has hit over .300 a few seasons in his career and is seen as a steadying force for pitchers.

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)