ARLINGTON, Texas — Josh Hamilton's walk-off homer in the 13th inning doesn't happen unless the Rangers bullpen does its job.
Even if it means having to work overtime.
For five innings, the bullpen kept Toronto off the scoreboard while the Rangers failed to take advantage of scoring opportunities.
The bullpen retired 14 consecutive batters during a stretch from the seventh through 12th inning.
It was only after the bullpen faltered in the 13th and allowed a couple of runs that the offense responded. But that's just part of the job for Rangers relievers.
"Everybody had to dig down deeper than what they may usually have to do," manager Ron Washington said after the 8-7 win.
"We had to try to get as much out of our pitching today as we possibly could."
Starter Colby Lewis left with one out in the sixth, trailing 4-2. Alexi Ogando was first out of the 'pen and got the Rangers out of a jam, but after benefiting from three consecutive homers by the bottom of the order, couldn't hold the lead in the seventh.
The Rangers burned through set-up man Mike Adams and closer Joe Nathan for an inning each to get to extras.
Then Koji Uehara threw a perfect two innings.
"Koji did a helluva job," Washington said. "We got two innings out of him. That was big right there. And it was two innings of attack, attack, attack and get it over with."
Robbie Ross kept the Blue Jays in check in the 12th, but gave up two singles in the 13th that led to two runs. Washington said Ross ran out of gas, but Toronto's rally was helped by a passed ball and a fielding error.
Ross, for his efforts, had to dress after the game in jeans and a T-shirt that looked like they had gone through a shredder. Such is the life of a rookie.
Yoshinori Tateyama came on to get the final out in the top of the 13th, then the Rangers benefited from their 14-3 win over Toronto the night before.
Jays manager John Farrell started the bottom of the 13th with reliever Ryota Igarashi, who threw 31 pitches during the Rangers' onslaught Friday night.
Igarashi walked leadoff batter Ian Kinsler, then gave up a double to Elvis Andrus to set the table for Hamilton.
To face Hamilton, Farrell brought in Jason Frasor, who threw 41 pitches the night before.
"He (Igarashi) pitched a lot last night, and John had to go to his bullpen with some guys that did some hard work the night before," Washington said.
Farrell resorted to Igarashi and Frasor only after getting 2 1/3 innings out of 41-year-old Darren Oliver.
Because he was the pitcher of record when Hamilton homered, Tateyama is officially the winning pitcher. Baseball statistics don't permit bullpens to share wins, but this was one case where it was truly a team effort.
"Wow, what a game," Washington said.
Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire
