Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays homer three times in fifth inning

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The long-ball continues to be the Toronto Blue Jays’ best friend as they hit three in the fifth inning.

If you’re watching game 2 of the ALDS and you’re a Texas Rangers fan, chances are good you’re not having fun. The Blue Jays hit three solo home runs in the fifth inning (Kevin Pillar, Ezequiel Carrera and Edwin Encarnacion) giving them a 5-1 lead. That makes four home runs in the game for the Jays off of Yu Darvish:

When the @BlueJays can't stop hitting homers. #ALDS pic.twitter.com/YcT4mMHBKm

— Cut4 (@Cut4) October 7, 2016

Although it’s just a four run deficit for the Rangers, things are getting out of hand in Arlington. Home run after home run has taken all the energy out of the stadium. Over 100.1 regular season innings, Darvish gave up just 13 home runs. In just one inning on Friday he gave up a nearly a quarter of that total.

Kevin Pillar started off the action with a ridiculous home run off a high-and-inside pitch:

The World of Possibilities through Kevin Pillar's eyes. pic.twitter.com/c3k7aVlie5

— Bae Street (@melissasfeed) October 7, 2016

Who knows where they will find it, but the Rangers need a jolt of energy, and they need it quickly. The home field advantage has gone for naught so far as they have given their fans almost nothing to cheer for. Darvish was taken out of the game after the fifth inning as he gave up five hits and five earned runs.

Offensively, almost nothing has been going right for the Rangers. If they’re going to climb back into the game and series, players like Adrian Beltre, Jonathan Lucroy and Rougned Odor need to start hitting.

The Blue Jays hit 221 home runs during the regular season and have now slugged six in the ALDS alone. If they continue to swing the bat the way they are, they will cruise their way into the American League Championship Series.

Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ has been vulnerable through Game 2 giving up 8 hits. The Rangers must capitalize on their chances with runners on base to give themselves a chance. It also wouldn’t hurt to limit the Blue Jays ability to hit the long ball.