Elvis Andrus makes the first of three Texas errors during the bottom of the seventh on Wednesday in Toronto.
The Rangers’ unlikely playoff run came to an unforgettable end Wednesday at Rogers Centre when Jose Bautista powered the Blue Jays to a 6-3 victory in Game 5 of the A.L. Division Series.
Bautista’s three-run, tiebreaking homer off Sam Dyson in the bottom of the seventh came after Texas had committed three straight errors to begin the inning. Incredibly, shortstop Elvis Andrus was involved in all three defensive miscues.
Ranging to his left, Andrus booted a ground ball that allowed leadoff batter Russell Martin to reach safely.
Kevin Pillar then hit a sharp grounder that was fielded by Mitch Moreland at first base, but Andrus could not handle Moreland’s one-hop throw attempting to get the force out on Martin at second.
The next batter, Ryan Goins, laid down a bunt that was gathered in by Adrian Beltre, who turned and threw to Andrus covering at third. Andrus dropped the throw, however, to load the bases with nobody out.
“I can make those plays 100 percent of the time,” Andrus said. “I’m in a lot of pain. I feel like I let down my team and my city. It hurts. You play this game hard, and when that happens, it hurts.”
Texas recorded a force out on the next play to maintain a slim 3-2 lead, but Josh Donaldson followed with a pop up that fell just beyond the reach of Rougned Odor to tie the game.
Although Odor recovered in time to throw to second base for the second out of the inning, Bautista then launched a mammoth home run into the left-field stands that essentially put the game on ice.
Bautista’s long homer was overshadowed only by the monstrosity of his ego, as the 34-year-old slugger stood and admired his blast before turning to face Rangers pitcher Sam Dyson and then flipping his bat away.
Dyson soon became engaged in a discussion with on-deck batter Edwin Encarnacion, which drew the attention of home-plate umpire Dale Scott and caused both dugouts to empty.
“I told [Encarnacion] Jose needs to calm that down,” Dyson said after the game. “Just kind of respect the game a little more … He’s a huge role model for the younger generation that’s coming up and playing this game.”
The Rangers’ defensive meltdown – and Bautista’s subsequent home run – came after they had taken a 3-2 lead when Odor was awarded home plate during a wild top half of the seventh.
Odor was on third base with two outs when Russell Martin’s return throw to the pitcher careened off the bat of Shin-Soo Choo. The ball rolled across the left side of the infield as Odor scampered home.
Dale Scott initially indicated it was a dead ball and the run did not count, but Texas manager Jeff Banister convinced him to discuss the play with the rest of the umpiring crew.
Scott’s call was reversed and Odor was credited with scoring the go-ahead run, which prompted Blue Jays manager John Gibbons to ask for a video review of the play.
Parts of the outfield and area near the foul lines were soon littered with items thrown by fans in the crowd, and their displeasure only increased when Odor’s run was upheld by the MLB replay command center in New York.
Gibbons indicated he was playing the rest of the game under protest, but that became a moot point when Toronto completed its dramatic comeback victory.
Teams Split First Four Contests
Texas had won each of the first two ALDS games at Rogers Centre before the Blue Jays took two in Arlington to set up Wednesday’s decisive fifth game.
Robinson Chirinos provided the difference in the Rangers’ series-opening 5-3 victory with a two-run homer off David Price, and Yovani Gallardo earned the win for Texas with five effective innings of work.
Utility infielder Hanser Alberto, filling in for Adrian Beltre (strained back) at third base in Game 2, delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the top of the 14th inning that paved the way for a 6-4 Rangers win.
The Texas offense was kept in check Sunday by Marco Estrada and the Toronto bullpen as the Blue Jays rolled to a 5-1 victory in Game 3, and Derek Holland was hammered in his Game 4 start on Monday afternoon.
Holland allowed six earned runs in just over two innings pitched, getting victimized by home run balls from Josh Donaldson, Chris Colabello and Kevin Pillar as Toronto evened the series with an 8-4 win.
Hawkins, Magadan Depart Coaching Staff
It was announced Friday that bullpen coach Andy Hawkins and hitting coach Dave Magadan will not return to the Texas staff next season.
Hawkins, who had been with the Rangers for the past seven years, is expected to pursue opportunities with other ballclubs, while Magadan will seek coaching options closer to his Florida home.
The other six members of Jeff Banister’s coaching staff – Tony Beasley, Steve Buechele, Bobby Jones, Mike Maddux, Hector Ortiz and Jayce Tingler – were all asked to return in 2016.
Nate's Notes 
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