ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Bo Bichette hit a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the ninth inning, five Toronto pitchers combined on a one-hitter and the Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers 2-0 on Wednesday night.
Bichette, who was out of the starting lineup because of lower back soreness, hit an 0-1 fastball from Jacob Webb (2-3) just over the left field wall with two outs.
Brendon Little (3-0), the fourth Blue Jays pitcher, struck out the only two batters he faced. Jeff Hoffman then had a strikeout in a perfect ninth for his 12th save in 15 chances to close out Toronto’s third shutout this season.
The Rangers were held scoreless for the seventh time, and their only hit was leadoff hitter Josh Smith’s sharp single to left in the first inning. He also walked twice.
Paxton Schultz stuck out four and allowed the lone hit while going 2 2/3 innings in his first big league start for Toronto. Eric Lauer struck out four in 3 1/3 innings, and Braydon Fisher had two punchouts in his one inning.
Toronto won two of three in the series that had only seven combined runs. The Blue Jays won the opener 2-1, and Texas won 2-0 on Tuesday with both runs in the eighth inning.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extended his career-best on-base streak to 28 games, the longest active in the majors, with two singles and a walk for the Jays.
Key moment
Bichette’s fifth homer of the season. Ernie Clement led off the ninth with a single and moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Nathan Lukes.
Key stat
Rangers starter Tyler Mahle threw 92 pitches in six scoreless innings and has an MLB-best 0.82 ERA at home (four runs in 44 innings over eight starts). His overall 1.64 ERA is fourth-best in the majors.
Up next
Toronto is home to open a four-game series against the Athletics on Thursday night. Texas has its first off day in the middle of a homestand this season, then hosts St. Louis on Friday.
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