Everything’s bigger in Texas

Under ordinary circumstances, you would think that an 11 run lead would be enough to secure a victory. I learned the hard way that no lead is ever a safe lead, and luckily the Blue Jays held off the Rangers long enough to avoid setting a new record for the largest lead surrendered in club history.

Any semblance of a pitcher’s duel was thrown completely out the window in the first inning when the Blue Jays jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. Then it was Brett Cecil’s turn to get roughed up when he gave up seven runs in the bottom of the fifth.

When the dust finally settled after three hours and thirty four minutes, 28 total runs and 28 total hits lit up the scoreboard at Rangers ballpark. The Blue Jays scored more runs in their 18-10 win than they did in their previous five games combined.

Of course, let’s give credit where it is due and congratulate Adam Lind and Rod Barajas for their amazing offensive contributions. Rod Barajas has been on fire these past few weeks, with 6 HR, 14 RBI and a 1.136 OPS since August 18th.

If you thought Adam Lind couldn’t top his 6 RBI performance on Opening Night, you would be wrong. His 8 RBI’s set a new career high, and he was just one away from matching the club record set by Roy Howell in 1977.

Honourable mention goes to Vernon Wells who hit a double, triple, drove in two runs, and made a spectacular catch in centre field to preserve the lead and keep the Blue Jays on top by one run. Could it have been that being at home made Wells feel at ease? Whatever it is, it seems to be working so far.

Just when you thought the Jays and Rangers might take a break after that offensive display last night, they will kick off a double-header this evening starting at 5:05pm. I’ll be liveblogging the first game over at The Score, so grab some pizza pockets and join me after work for game one of the double header.