Chirinos 2-run homer leads Rangers over Blue Jays 5-3

Beltre, injured when sliding into second base as Prince Fielder hit into an inning-ending double play in the first, had difficulty running and was replaced by rookie Hanser Alberto in the bottom of third.

Donaldson came out to play third base in the top of the fifth inning before being replaced in the bottom of the frame.

The good news is that Donaldson passed the league’s concussion protocol tests and will be re-evaluated tomorrow.

Donaldson did not speak to reporters afterward.

The Rangers won the game 5-3.

The Blue Jays came back with a run in their fifth on doubles by catcher Russell Martin and center fielder Kevin Pillar.

Wouldn’t you know it, t was David Price in a dome with artificial turf and national TV regulating them to an afternoon game again.

The Rangers did it without the efforts of their leader and best player for most of the game as Adrian Beltre was forced to leave the game with back stiffness.

A hit batter came back to haunt Price in the third after a groundout and RBI single by Delino DeShields brought Odor home.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister went to Sam Dyson, rather than Shawn Tolleson, with a save situation in the ninth inning. “He’s the heart and soul of this ballclub”.

Texas will have Joey Gallo and Ed Lucas travel from their Arizona Fall League team in case Beltre needs to be removed from the roster, a decision that also would rule Beltre out of the AL Championship Series. SS Troy Tulowitzki batted fifth in the Blue Jays’ lineup because of his career batting average (.407, 11-for-27) against Rangers starter RHP Yovani Gallardo.

Bautista was said to have a hamstring cramp and is not expected to miss any more action. He dropped to 1-6 with a 4.79 ERA in 11 postseason games, including six starts.

“I think he got a little lightheaded, felt that something wasn’t right”, said Jays manager John Gibbons.

Gibbons said Price was the victim of timely hits by the Rangers.

Price, who gave way to Brett Cecil after seven innings, gave up five earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

“We told him take it on in and get it right because we need you”, Hamilton said.

This series is obviously not over, so there’s plenty of times for those experts to be right, but the Rangers took game one against the vaunted Blue Jays in their house to guarantee nothing short of a series where the Rangers must be taken seriously.

The bullpen went with Keone Kela/Jake Diekman/Sam Dyson from their superb ‘pen to close out the game.

Although they didn’t deliver a win for a rowdy sellout crowd of 49, 834, the Blue Jays weren’t feeling down.

“I still like our team”, said Martin. I’m not a big believer in carrying over to the next day. “It was just a couple of key hits at a few key times that made the difference”, Gibbons said.

Having Marcus Stroman ready to start Game 2 is a plus for the Blue Jays. Rangers 4, Toronto 2.