AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">AL AT TORONTO - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: B League relieved B Tallet. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 3 TORONTO 9 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR TEXAS: R Vazquez (.255, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">AL AT TORONTO - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: B Wilkerson hit for R Vazquez. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 3 TORONTO 9 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR TEXAS: B Wilkerson (.223, 15 HR, 46 RBI)</div>
AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">AL AT TORONTO - SCORING UPDATE SOLO HOME RUN BY BRAD WILKERSON (16) TO RIGHT WITH 0 OUT IN THE 9TH OFF BRANDON LEAGUE. CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 4, TORONTO 9 DUE UP FOR TEXAS: F CATALANOTTO (.239, 1-FOR-4)</div>
AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">AL AT TORONTO - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: S Sosa hit for F Catalanotto. SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 4 TORONTO 9 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR TEXAS: S Sosa (.239, 16 HR, 70 RBI)</div>
AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">AL AT TORONTO - SCORING UPDATE SINGLE BY ADAM MELHUSE SCORED IAN KINSLER. SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, A MELHUSE ON FIRST, 1 OUT CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 5 TORONTO 9 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR TEXAS: M BYRD (.319, 0-FOR-4)</div>
AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">AL AT TORONTO - PITCHING CHANGE TOR: SCOTT DOWNS (1-1, 2.16) IN THE 9TH SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, A MELHUSE ON FIRST, 1 OUT CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 5, TORONTO 9 DUE UP FOR TEXAS: M BYRD (.319, 0-FOR-4)</div>
AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">AL AT TORONTO - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: S Downs relieved B League. SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, A MELHUSE ON FIRST, 1 OUT CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 5 TORONTO 9 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR TEXAS: M Byrd (.319, 0-FOR-4)</div>
AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - TEXAS 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 5 11 0 TORONTO 6 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 x 9 9 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: TEX - WILLIE EYRE, A.J. MURRAY (3RD), WES LITTLETON (5TH), FRANK FRANCISCO (8TH) AND GERALD LAIRD TOR - SHAUN MARCUM, BRIAN WOLFE (7TH), BRIAN TALLET (8TH), BRANDON LEAGUE (9TH), SCOTT DOWNS (9TH) AND GREGG ZAUN HOME RUNS: TEX - BRAD WILKERSON (16) OFF BRANDON LEAGUE IN THE 9TH, 0 ON TOR - FRANK THOMAS (17) OFF WILLIE EYRE IN THE 1ST, 2 ON FRANK THOMAS (18) OFF WILLIE EYRE IN THE 3RD, 0 ON</div>
AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - TEXAS 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 5 11 0 TORONTO 6 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 x 9 9 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: TEX - WILLIE EYRE, A.J. MURRAY (3RD), WES LITTLETON (5TH), FRANK FRANCISCO (8TH) AND GERALD LAIRD TOR - SHAUN MARCUM, BRIAN WOLFE (7TH), BRIAN TALLET (8TH), BRANDON LEAGUE (9TH), SCOTT DOWNS (9TH) AND GREGG ZAUN WP - SHAUN MARCUM (8-4) LP - WILLIE EYRE (3-4) SAVE - NONE HOME RUNS: TEX - BRAD WILKERSON (16) OFF BRANDON LEAGUE IN THE 9TH, 0 ON TOR - FRANK THOMAS (17) OFF WILLIE EYRE IN THE 1ST, 2 ON FRANK THOMAS (18) OFF WILLIE EYRE IN THE 3RD, 0 ON TIME: 2:57 ATT: 25,231 PROBABLES: TEX - BRANDON MCCARTHY (5-7, 5.18) TOR - DUSTIN MCGOWAN (7-5, 4.36)</div>
AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">TEXAS (5) VS TORONTO (9) - FINAL TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg F Catalanotto lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .239 a-S Sosa ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .239 I Kinsler 2b 4 2 2 0 1 1 1 .247 M Young ss 4 0 2 1 0 2 2 .302 A Melhuse 3b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .244 M Byrd cf 5 0 0 0 0 2 4 .318 J Botts dh 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .188 N Cruz rf 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .219 J Saltalamacchia 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .059 G Laird c 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .238 R Vazquez 3b-ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .255 b-B Wilkerson ph 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .226 Totals 38 5 11 4 1 9 17 a-struck out swinging for F Catalanotto in the 9th; b-homered to right for R Vazquez in the 9th. BATTING: 2B - I Kinsler (15, S Marcum). 3B - J Botts (1, S Marcum). HR - B Wilkerson (16, 9th inning off B League 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - N Cruz (19), M Young (59), B Wilkerson (47), A Melhuse (9). 2-out RBI - M Young. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Young 1, G Laird 1, J Saltalamacchia 2. Reached via catcher's interference - N Cruz 1. Team LOB - 9. FIELDING: DP: 1 (R Vazquez-J Saltalamacchia). TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg R Johnson lf 5 1 1 0 0 1 4 .269 L Overbay 1b 3 1 0 0 2 0 0 .252 A Rios rf 4 1 1 1 1 0 1 .302 V Wells cf 4 1 1 1 1 0 0 .259 F Thomas dh 4 2 2 4 0 0 2 .255 T Glaus 3b 2 2 0 0 2 1 2 .259 A Hill 2b 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .275 G Zaun c 2 0 1 0 2 0 0 .245 J McDonald ss 3 0 2 3 0 0 1 .274 Totals 31 9 9 9 8 3 11 BATTING: 2B - A Rios (30, W Eyre); V Wells (30, W Eyre); A Hill (33, A Murray); J McDonald (13, W Littleton). HR - F Thomas 2 (18, 1st inning off W Eyre 2 on, 0 Out, 3rd inning off W Eyre 0 on, 0 Out). S - J McDonald. RBI - A Rios (64), V Wells (58), F Thomas 4 (60), J McDonald 3 (20). 2-out RBI - J McDonald 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - R Johnson 3, T Glaus 1. GIDP - A Rios. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: E - G Zaun (3, catchers interference). ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS - 101 100 002 -- 5 TORONTO - 601 020 00x -- 9 ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era W Eyre (L, 3-4) 2 1/3 6 7 7 2 2 2 4.74 A Murray 2 1/3 1 2 2 3 1 0 7.71 W Littleton 2 1/3 2 0 0 2 0 0 4.12 F Francisco 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.01 TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era S Marcum (W, 8-4) 6 8 3 2 0 5 0 3.63 B Wolfe 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.45 B Tallet 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.37 B League 1/3 2 2 2 1 1 1 6.75 S Downs 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.13 IBB - G Zaun (by A Murray). HBP - J Botts (by S Marcum). Pitches-strikes: W Eyre 68-41; A Murray 49-25; W Littleton 37-22; F Francisco 12-6; S Marcum 108-73; B Wolfe 13-10; B Tallet 18-11; B League 18-9; S Downs 11-7. Ground balls-fly balls: W Eyre 2-3; A Murray 2-4; W Littleton 5-2; F Francisco 3-0; S Marcum 8-5; B Wolfe 0-1; B Tallet 1-1; B League 0-0; S Downs 0-2. Batters faced: W Eyre 15; A Murray 11; W Littleton 11; F Francisco 3; S Marcum 28; B Wolfe 3; B Tallet 4; B League 4; S Downs 2. UMPIRES: HP--Greg Gibson. 1B--Mike Estabrook. 2B--Larry Vanover. 3B--Charlie Reliford. T--2:57. Att--25,231. Weather: 77 degrees, sunny. Wind: 8 mph, in from center.</div>
AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEXAS (5) AT TORONTO (9) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEXAS 1ST: F Catalanotto singled to right. I Kinsler struck out swinging. M Young singled to right, F Catalanotto to second. M Byrd struck out swinging. J Botts hit by pitch, F Catalanotto to third, M Young to second. N Cruz reached first base on catcher's interference, F Catalanotto scored, M Young to third, J Botts to second. J Saltalamacchia struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 1, TORONTO 0. TORONTO 1ST: R Johnson reached on infield single to shortstop. L Overbay walked, R Johnson to second. A Rios doubled to left, R Johnson scored, L Overbay to third. V Wells doubled to deep left, L Overbay scored, A Rios to third. F Thomas homered to left center, A Rios and V Wells scored. T Glaus walked. A Hill flied out to center. G Zaun singled to deep center, T Glaus to third. J McDonald sacrificed to pitcher, T Glaus scored, G Zaun to second. R Johnson struck out swinging. (6 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, TORONTO 6. TEXAS 3RD: M Byrd grounded out to third. J Botts tripled to deep center. N Cruz singled to left center, J Botts scored. J Saltalamacchia flied out to left. G Laird flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, TORONTO 6. TORONTO 3RD: F Thomas homered to left. T Glaus struck out swinging. A Murray relieved W Eyre. A Hill struck out swinging. G Zaun walked. J McDonald fouled out to right. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, TORONTO 7. TEXAS 4TH: R Vazquez struck out looking. F Catalanotto grounded out to shortstop. I Kinsler doubled to deep right. M Young singled to left center, I Kinsler scored. M Byrd grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, M Young out at second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, TORONTO 7. TORONTO 5TH: V Wells grounded out to shortstop. F Thomas fouled out to first. T Glaus walked. A Hill doubled to left, T Glaus to third. G Zaun intentionally walked. W Littleton relieved A Murray. J McDonald doubled to left, T Glaus and A Hill scored, G Zaun to third. R Johnson grounded out to third. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, TORONTO 9. TEXAS 9TH: B League relieved B Tallet. B Wilkerson hit for R Vazquez. B Wilkerson homered to right. S Sosa hit for F Catalanotto. S Sosa struck out swinging. I Kinsler walked. I Kinsler to second on fielder's indifference. A Melhuse singled to left center, I Kinsler scored. S Downs relieved B League. M Byrd lined out to right. J Botts lined out to right. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 5, TORONTO 9.</div>
AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEXAS (5) AT TORONTO (9) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Texas Starting Lineups -- F Catalanotto LF, I Kinsler 2B, M Young SS, M Byrd CF, J Botts DH, N Cruz RF, J Saltalamacchia 1B, G Laird C, R Vazquez 3B, W Eyre RHP. Toronto Starting Lineups -- R Johnson LF, L Overbay 1B, A Rios RF, V Wells CF, F Thomas DH, T Glaus 3B, A Hill 2B, G Zaun C, J McDonald SS, S Marcum RHP. Umpires -- Greg Gibson (HP), Mike Estabrook (1B), Larry Vanover (2B), Charlie Reliford (3B). Gametime Weather: 77 degrees, Sunny, wind in from center at 8 mph. TEXAS 1ST: F Catalanotto singled to right. I Kinsler struck out swinging. M Young singled to right, F Catalanotto to second. M Byrd struck out swinging. J Botts hit by pitch, F Catalanotto to third, M Young to second. N Cruz reached first base on catcher's interference, F Catalanotto scored, M Young to third, J Botts to second. J Saltalamacchia struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 1, TORONTO 0. TORONTO 1ST: R Johnson reached on infield single to shortstop. L Overbay walked, R Johnson to second. A Rios doubled to left, R Johnson scored, L Overbay to third. V Wells doubled to deep left, L Overbay scored, A Rios to third. F Thomas homered to left center, A Rios and V Wells scored. T Glaus walked. A Hill flied out to center. G Zaun singled to deep center, T Glaus to third. J McDonald sacrificed to pitcher, T Glaus scored, G Zaun to second. R Johnson struck out swinging. (6 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, TORONTO 6. TEXAS 2ND: G Laird reached on infield single to shortstop. R Vazquez grounded into fielder's choice to first, G Laird out at second. F Catalanotto flied out to center. I Kinsler singled to left center, R Vazquez to second. M Young struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, TORONTO 6. TORONTO 2ND: L Overbay flied out to left. A Rios lined out to shortstop. V Wells grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, TORONTO 6. TEXAS 3RD: M Byrd grounded out to third. J Botts tripled to deep center. N Cruz singled to left center, J Botts scored. J Saltalamacchia flied out to left. G Laird flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, TORONTO 6. TORONTO 3RD: F Thomas homered to left. T Glaus struck out swinging. A Murray relieved W Eyre. A Hill struck out swinging. G Zaun walked. J McDonald fouled out to right. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 2, TORONTO 7. TEXAS 4TH: R Vazquez struck out looking. F Catalanotto grounded out to shortstop. I Kinsler doubled to deep right. M Young singled to left center, I Kinsler scored. M Byrd grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, M Young out at second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, TORONTO 7. TORONTO 4TH: R Johnson flied out to right. L Overbay grounded out to shortstop. A Rios flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, TORONTO 7. TEXAS 5TH: J Botts popped out to shortstop. N Cruz grounded out to first. J Saltalamacchia flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, TORONTO 7. TORONTO 5TH: V Wells grounded out to shortstop. F Thomas fouled out to first. T Glaus walked. A Hill doubled to left, T Glaus to third. G Zaun intentionally walked. W Littleton relieved A Murray. J McDonald doubled to left, T Glaus and A Hill scored, G Zaun to third. R Johnson grounded out to third. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, TORONTO 9. TEXAS 6TH: G Laird grounded out to third. R Vazquez grounded out to second. F Catalanotto grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, TORONTO 9. TORONTO 6TH: L Overbay grounded out to first. A Rios walked. V Wells walked, A Rios to second. F Thomas lined out to left. T Glaus fouled out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, TORONTO 9. TEXAS 7TH: B Wolfe relieved S Marcum. I Kinsler flied out to right. M Young struck out looking. M Byrd struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, TORONTO 9. TORONTO 7TH: A Melhuse at third base. R Vazquez at shortstop. A Hill grounded out to pitcher. G Zaun grounded out to third. J McDonald singled to center. R Johnson grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, J McDonald out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, TORONTO 9. TEXAS 8TH: B Tallet relieved B Wolfe. J Botts singled to center. N Cruz lined out to right. J Saltalamacchia grounded out to catcher, J Botts to second. G Laird struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, TORONTO 9. TORONTO 8TH: F Francisco relieved W Littleton. L Overbay walked. A Rios grounded into double play, shortstop to first, L Overbay out at second. V Wells grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, TORONTO 9. TEXAS 9TH: B League relieved B Tallet. B Wilkerson hit for R Vazquez. B Wilkerson homered to right. S Sosa hit for F Catalanotto. S Sosa struck out swinging. I Kinsler walked. I Kinsler to second on fielder's indifference. A Melhuse singled to left center, I Kinsler scored. S Downs relieved B League. M Byrd lined out to right. J Botts lined out to right. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 5, TORONTO 9.</div>
AL: TEXAS at TORONTO <div class="pre">TEXAS (5) VS TORONTO (9) - FINAL (RESENDING -- CORRECTING RBI FOR CRUZ) TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg F Catalanotto lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .239 a-S Sosa ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .239 I Kinsler 2b 4 2 2 0 1 1 1 .247 M Young ss 4 0 2 1 0 2 2 .302 A Melhuse 3b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .244 M Byrd cf 5 0 0 0 0 2 4 .318 J Botts dh 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .188 N Cruz rf 3 0 1 2 0 0 1 .219 J Saltalamacchia 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .059 G Laird c 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .238 R Vazquez 3b-ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .255 b-B Wilkerson ph 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .226 Totals 38 5 11 5 1 9 17 a-struck out swinging for F Catalanotto in the 9th; b-homered to right for R Vazquez in the 9th. BATTING: 2B - I Kinsler (15, S Marcum). 3B - J Botts (1, S Marcum). HR - B Wilkerson (16, 9th inning off B League 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - N Cruz 2 (20), M Young (59), B Wilkerson (47), A Melhuse (9). 2-out RBI - M Young. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Young 1, G Laird 1, J Saltalamacchia 2. Reached via catcher's interference - N Cruz 1. Team LOB - 9. FIELDING: DP: 1 (R Vazquez-J Saltalamacchia). TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg R Johnson lf 5 1 1 0 0 1 4 .269 L Overbay 1b 3 1 0 0 2 0 0 .252 A Rios rf 4 1 1 1 1 0 1 .302 V Wells cf 4 1 1 1 1 0 0 .259 F Thomas dh 4 2 2 4 0 0 2 .255 T Glaus 3b 2 2 0 0 2 1 2 .259 A Hill 2b 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .275 G Zaun c 2 0 1 0 2 0 0 .245 J McDonald ss 3 0 2 3 0 0 1 .274 Totals 31 9 9 9 8 3 11 BATTING: 2B - A Rios (30, W Eyre); V Wells (30, W Eyre); A Hill (33, A Murray); J McDonald (13, W Littleton). HR - F Thomas 2 (18, 1st inning off W Eyre 2 on, 0 Out, 3rd inning off W Eyre 0 on, 0 Out). S - J McDonald. RBI - A Rios (64), V Wells (58), F Thomas 4 (60), J McDonald 3 (20). 2-out RBI - J McDonald 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - R Johnson 3, T Glaus 1. GIDP - A Rios. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: E - G Zaun (3, catchers interference). ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS - 101 100 002 -- 5 TORONTO - 601 020 00x -- 9 ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era W Eyre (L, 3-4) 2 1/3 6 7 7 2 2 2 4.74 A Murray 2 1/3 1 2 2 3 1 0 7.71 W Littleton 2 1/3 2 0 0 2 0 0 4.12 F Francisco 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.01 TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era S Marcum (W, 8-4) 6 8 3 2 0 5 0 3.63 B Wolfe 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.45 B Tallet 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.37 B League 1/3 2 2 2 1 1 1 6.75 S Downs 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.13 IBB - G Zaun (by A Murray). HBP - J Botts (by S Marcum). Pitches-strikes: W Eyre 68-41; A Murray 49-25; W Littleton 37-22; F Francisco 12-6; S Marcum 108-73; B Wolfe 13-10; B Tallet 18-11; B League 18-9; S Downs 11-7. Ground balls-fly balls: W Eyre 2-3; A Murray 2-4; W Littleton 5-2; F Francisco 3-0; S Marcum 8-5; B Wolfe 0-1; B Tallet 1-1; B League 0-0; S Downs 0-2. Batters faced: W Eyre 15; A Murray 11; W Littleton 11; F Francisco 3; S Marcum 28; B Wolfe 3; B Tallet 4; B League 4; S Downs 2. UMPIRES: HP--Greg Gibson. 1B--Mike Estabrook. 2B--Larry Vanover. 3B--Charlie Reliford. T--2:57. Att--25,231. Weather: 77 degrees, sunny. Wind: 8 mph, in from center.</div>
Thomas homers twice, moves past Murray on all-time list <h3>TORONTO 9, TEXAS 5</h3>TORONTO (Ticker) -- With Alex Rodriguez closing in, FrankThomas made his own way up the all-time home run list. Thomas homered twice and drove in four runs as the Toronto BlueJays posted a 9-5 victory over the Texas Rangers in the middlegame of a weekend series on Saturday. With New York Yankees slugger Rodriguez becoming the youngestplayer to reach 500 career home runs with a first-inning shotagainst the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, Thomas blasted Nos.504 and 505 to move past Eddie Murray for 20th place on thecareer list. The 39-year-old designated hitter had been the most recentaddition to the 500 club prior to Saturday, becoming the 21thmember on June 28 with blast off Minnesota's Carlos Silva. Similar to Rodriguez, Thomas connected for a three-run shotduring the first inning - a six-run frame. He also added a solohomer in the third off Texas starter Willie Eyre (3-4) for a7-2 advantage. It was the second multi-homer game of the season and 31st careerfor Thomas. The early offense was more than enough for Shaun Marcum (8-4). Normally a pitcher that does not get a decent amount of support,Marcum allowed three runs - two earned - and eight hits in sixinnings. He also struck out five without issuing a walk toimprove to 3-1 with a 5.71 ERA in his last five starts at RogersCentre. Conversely, Eyre struggled after being named a last-secondstarter. Making his first start since June 26, the 29-year-oldrighthander gave up seven runs and six hits in just 2 1/3innings. Originally, the Rangers planned to recall Mike Wood from ClassAAA Oklahoma to make a spot start. However, it was decided thathe needed more rest after throwing 81 pitches over eightinnings in a win for the RedHawks on Wednesday. Reed Johnson opened the bottom of the first against Eyre with asingle before Lyle Overbay worked a walk. Alex Rios and VernonWells ripped RBI doubles before Rangers pitching coach MarkConnor came out to try and settle down Eyre. The pep talk did not work, as Thomas drove the first pitch hesaw to left-center field for a 5-1 advantage. Troy Glaus then walked before Eyre finally got his first outwhen Aaron Hill flied out to center field. Gregg Zaun singledto put runners on the corners before John McDonald's sacrificeplated Glaus and rounded out the early outburst. McDonald, who finished with two hits, added a two-run double inthe fifth for a 9-3 lead. Michael Young had an RBI single in the fourth inning and BradWilkerson homered in the ninth for Texas, which dropped itsthird straight game.
Thomas homers twice, moves past Murray on all-time list <h3>TORONTO 9, TEXAS 5</h3>TORONTO (Ticker) -- With Alex Rodriguez closing in, FrankThomas made his own way up the all-time home run list. Thomas homered twice and drove in four runs as the Toronto BlueJays posted a 9-5 victory over the Texas Rangers in the middlegame of a weekend series on Saturday. With New York Yankees slugger Rodriguez becoming the youngestplayer to reach 500 career home runs with a first-inning shotagainst the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, Thomas blasted Nos.504 and 505 to move past Eddie Murray for 20th place on thecareer list. "He's one of my buddies and one of the greatest of all-time,"Thomas said of Murray. "It's a good feeling." The 39-year-old designated hitter had been the most recentaddition to the 500 club prior to Saturday, becoming the 21thmember on June 28 with blast off Minnesota's Carlos Silva. "This season's been crazy. It's been up and down," said Thomas,who is hitting .255 on the year. "I wish I had played withmore consistency early, but we play for six months. With twomonths left you just never know what could happen. Two monthscan make your season." Although Rodriguez is poised to pass him on the all-time list indue time, Thomas expressed his pleasure for the Yankeeslugger's achievement. "I'm happy for him because I know it was getting stressful forhim," Thomas said. "Now he's probably going to take off likethe rest of his season's been." Similar to Rodriguez, Thomas connected for a three-run shotduring the first inning - a six-run frame. He also added a solohomer in the third off Texas starter Willie Eyre (3-4) for a7-2 advantage. It was the second multi-homer game of the season and 31st careerfor Thomas. The early offense was more than enough for Shaun Marcum (8-4). Normally a pitcher that does not get a decent amount of support,Marcum allowed three runs - two earned - and eight hits in sixinnings. He also struck out five without issuing a walk toimprove to 3-1 with a 5.71 ERA in his last five starts at RogersCentre. "We got that big lead so instead of pitching to the corners(myself) and (catcher Gregg) Zaun just decided to pitch to thehalves of the plate and make them put the ball in play," saidMarcum, who induced eight groundball outs. Prior to Saturday, the Blue Jays had averaged just over threeruns in the seven previous games started by Marcum. "He deserves that," Toronto manager John Gibbons said of therare support. "He's pitched so good this year. You give him alittle breathing room on a day when he wasn't at his best and hemanaged to get the win." Conversely, Eyre struggled after being named a last-secondstarter. Making his first start since June 26, the 29-year-oldrighthander gave up seven runs and six hits in just 2 1/3innings. "I made a lot of good pitches," Eyre said. "There are a coupleI'd take back obviously, but I thought I threw well. They justgot me." Originally, the Rangers planned to recall Mike Wood from ClassAAA Oklahoma to make a spot start. However, it was decided thathe needed more rest after throwing 81 pitches over eightinnings in a win for the RedHawks on Wednesday. Reed Johnson opened the bottom of the first against Eyre with asingle before Lyle Overbay worked a walk. Alex Rios and VernonWells ripped RBI doubles before Rangers pitching coach MarkConnor came out to try and settle down Eyre. The pep talk did not work, as Thomas drove the first pitch hesaw to left-center field for a 5-1 advantage. "Eyre's probably going to try to get ahead," Thomas said. "I'mnot a big time first-ball hitter. You've got to pick your spotsand that was one of those situations where I picked my spot." Troy Glaus then walked before Eyre finally got his first outwhen Aaron Hill flied out to center field. Gregg Zaun singledto put runners on the corners before John McDonald's sacrificeplated Glaus and rounded out the early outburst. McDonald, who finished with two hits, added a two-run double inthe fifth for a 9-3 lead. With Hill doubling earlier in the frame to put runners at secondand third with two outs, Rangers lefthander A.J. Murrayintentional walked Zaun before righthander Wes Littleton came onto face the righthanded-hitting McDonald. "I think I would have walked Zaun in that situation to get to metoo," said McDonald, who snapped an 0-for-8 slump with thedouble. Michael Young had an RBI single in the fourth inning and BradWilkerson homered in the ninth for Texas, which dropped itsthird straight game.
