Updated Jul 31, 2011 10:20 PM ET

TORONTO (AP)

Flanked by two red-clad Mounties and soaking in the cheers, Roberto Alomar made his way onto the field Sunday as his No. 12 was retired by the Toronto Blue Jays.

The newly inducted Hall of Famer is a 12-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. He is the first Blue Jays player to have his number retired in the club’s 35-year history.

Alomar spent only five seasons in Toronto, but those were the team’s glory years. The Blue Jays won the World Series in 1992 and 1993, with Alomar making dazzling plays at second base.

Alomar addressed the crowd before the game against the Texas Rangers. As his number was unfurled on a blue banner high above the field at Rogers Centre a fan yelled: ”I love you Robbie!” Without missing a beat, Alomar said: ”I love you, too! I love all you guys!”

He was joined on stage in center field, just in front of a giant No. 12 that covered second base, by former manager Cito Gaston, team president and CEO Paul Beeston, his parents and former teammates.

Wearing a dark blue suit and red tie, Alomar reflected on the moment and the two titles in Toronto.

”When I was a little boy I never expected to have my number retired,” he told the crowd of 45,629. ”I just played the game I love. My mom and dad taught me it doesn’t matter how much money you earn, what you achieve or how much of a celebrity you are – always be humble, and that’s who I am.”

It has been a whirlwind week for Alomar, who along with former Jays general manager Pat Gillick was inducted to the Hall of Fame last weekend. He’s the first player enshrined wearing a Blue Jays hat.

”This is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Alomar said after the ceremony. ”To share this moment with the fans and my family is emotional.”

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TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have retired the No. 12 of second baseman Roberto Alomar.

The newly inducted Hall of Famer is a 12-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. He is the first Blue Jays player to have his number retired in the club’s 35-year history.

Alomar spent only five seasons in Toronto, but those were the team’s glory years. The Blue Jays won the World Series in 1992 and 1993, with Alomar making dazzling plays at second base.

Alomar addressed the crowd before Sunday’s game against the Rangers. As his number was unfurled on a blue banner high above the field at Rogers Centre a fan yelled: “I love you, Robbie!” Without missing a beat, Alomar said: “I love you, too! I love all you guys!”

He was joined on stage in center field, just in front of a giant No. 12 that covered second base, by former manager Cito Gaston, team president and CEO Paul Beeston, his parents and former teammates.

Wearing a dark blue suit and red tie, Alomar reflected on the moment and the two titles in Toronto.

“When I was a little boy I never expected to have my number retired,” he told the crowd of 45,629. “I just played the game I love. My mom and dad taught me it doesn’t matter how much money you earn, what you achieve or how much of a celebrity you are — always be humble, and that’s who I am.”

It has been a whirlwind week for Alomar, who along with former Jays general manager Pat Gillick was inducted to the Hall of Fame last weekend. He’s the first player enshrined wearing a Blue Jays hat.

“This is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Alomar said after the ceremony. “To share this moment with the fans and my family is emotional.”

Alomar joined the Blue Jays with Joe Carter in a December 1990 trade with San Diego for Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez. His ninth-inning home run in Game 4 of the 1992 AL championship series off Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley helped put Toronto into its first World Series.

“I predict it will be many years before another number is even considered [for retirement],” Beeston told the crowd.

Alomar signed with Baltimore after the 1995 season and went on to play with Cleveland, the Mets, White Sox and Arizona. In his 17-year career, he batted .300 with 2,724 hits and 210 home runs.

He was also involved in one of baseball’s uglier moments. While with the Orioles in 1996, he was suspended after spitting in the face of umpire John Hirschbeck. The two later made up, but some fans refused to forget. On Sunday, however, that was all but forgotten.

“Robbie’s the greatest second baseman to ever play this game,” Gaston said on stage. “We’d like to thank you Robbie, for all that you’ve done for us.”

TORONTO (AP) — Flanked by two red-clad Mounties and soaking in the cheers, Roberto Alomar made his way onto the field Sunday as his No. 12 was retired by the Toronto Blue Jays.

The newly inducted Hall of Famer is a 12-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. He is the first Blue Jays player to have his number retired in the club’s 35-year history.

Alomar spent only five seasons in Toronto, but those were the team’s glory years. The Blue Jays won the World Series in 1992 and 1993, with Alomar making dazzling plays at second base.

Alomar addressed the crowd before the game against the Texas Rangers. As his number was unfurled on a blue banner high above the field at Rogers Centre a fan yelled: “I love you Robbie!” Without missing a beat, Alomar said: “I love you, too! I love all you guys!”

He was joined on stage in center field, just in front of a giant No. 12 that covered second base, by former manager Cito Gaston, team president and CEO Paul Beeston, his parents and former teammates.

Wearing a dark blue suit and red tie, Alomar reflected on the moment and the two titles in Toronto.

“When I was a little boy I never expected to have my number retired,” he told the crowd of 45,629. “I just played the game I love. My mom and dad taught me it doesn’t matter how much money you earn, what you achieve or how much of a celebrity you are — always be humble, and that’s who I am.”

It has been a whirlwind week for Alomar, who along with former Jays general manager Pat Gillick was inducted to the Hall of Fame last weekend. He’s the first player enshrined wearing a Blue Jays hat.

“This is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Alomar said after the ceremony. “To share this moment with the fans and my family is emotional.”

Alomar joined the Blue Jays with Joe Carter in a December 1990 trade with San Diego for Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez. His ninth-inning home run in Game 4 of the 1992 AL championship series off Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley helped put Toronto into its first World Series.

“I predict it will be many years before another number is even considered (for retirement),” Beeston told the crowd.

Alomar signed with Baltimore after the 1995 season and went on to play with Cleveland, the New York Mets, Chicago White Sox and Arizona. In his 17-year career, he batted .300 with 2,724 hits and 210 home runs.

He was also involved in one of baseball’s uglier moments. While with the Orioles in 1996, he was suspended after spitting in the face of umpire John Hirschbeck. The two later made up, but some fans refused to forget. On Sunday, however, that was all but forgotten.

“Robbie’s the greatest second baseman to ever play this game,” Gaston said on stage. “We’d like to thank you Robbie, for all that you’ve done for us.”

When the late Tom Cheek was properly honoured by the Toronto Blue Jays in a pre-game ceremony on Aug. 29, 2004, New York Yankees starter Mike Mussina complained that the extra 15 minutes he’d been forced to wait had thrown off his pre-game routine. It was vintage whining from a vintage whiner.

More related to this story

Brandon Morrow missed the strike zone on his first five pitches Sunday against the Texas Rangers following pre-game ceremonies honouring the retirement of Roberto Alomar’s uniform No. 12 – ceremonies that went on a tick longer than expected. But Endy Chavez, who drew a lead-off walk on four pitches that were nowhere near the strike zone, was thrown out stealing second, and all Morrow talked about later was how it affected him “a little bit, maybe,” but how “awesome” the Rogers Centre is when it’s filled up.

“Even if you have 20,000 people in here, it can still feel empty because it’s such a large building,” Morrow said, after setting a season high with 11 strikeouts as the Jays won 7-3 in front of a sell-out crowd of 45,629 that was the largest non-Opening Day home crowd for the Jays since April 19, 2003.

Morrow, whose career-high is 17 strikeouts, didn’t allow the Rangers to sit on his fastball.

“It allowed him to slow down their bats,” said manager John Farrell.

Morrow’s modus operandi was clear in the first inning: he struck out Omar Quintanilla and Josh Hamilton on sliders.

Morrow is widely considered to be the next Blue Jays player in line for a multi-year contract. But he said the club has not started negotiations with the Wasserman Group, which represents him.

ALOMAR’S NUMBER

Alomar, who last weekend became the first player to go into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown wearing a Blue Jays cap, was feted in a pre-game ceremony in which his former manager, Cito Gaston, attended along with former teammates Candy Maldonado, Kelly Gruber, Devon White and Duane Ward, as well as his roommate from Puerto Rico, Carlos Baerga.

In addition to a banner over the Rogers Centre video board, a banner with Alomar’s No. 12 was erected above Gate 8. The first 20,000 fans received Roberto Alomar bobbleheads, and based on the empty seats in the second inning it appeared many showed up for the dolls and ceremony and took off.

But after Morrow struck out Hamilton to end the top of the first, Edwin Encarnacion slugged his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot with Jose Bautista on second after a walk and wild pitch.

“That seemed to set everybody off,” said Farrell. Encarnacion is 9-for-24 (.375) in his last seven games with four doubles and a homer and has an OPS more than 1.000 since July 7.

BAUTISTA’S DROUGHT

Jose Bautista has gone 14 games without a home run, his longest dry spell since a 24-game, 77-at-bat gap from July 28-Sept. 5, 2009. Bautista and his teammates have Monday off before opening a three-game series against the meat of the Tampa Bay Rays rotation: David Price, James Shields and Wade Davis. Bautista has hit three career homers in 23 plate appearances against Price and two in 19 plate appearances against Shields. But Bautista has had trouble at Tropicana Field, with one career homer and a .234 average.

ARENCIBIA ON A ROLL

Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia’s 17 homers are the fourth-most by a Blue Jays rookie, leaving him seven back of Eric Hinske’s club record of 24 set in 2002. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Arencibia’s homer on Friday made him the first player to hit five homers in a six-game span out of the No. 9 spot in the batting order since Dale Sveum of the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers. Before Sveum, Don Drysdale of the 1958 Los Angeles Dodgers was the last player to do so. Any day you can get Drysdale’s name in a newspaper is a good day.

(Sports Network) – The rubber match of a three-game weekend set is on the
docket at Rogers Centre today when the hometown Toronto Blue Jays host the
Texas Rangers.

Rangers’ hurler C.J. Wilson is undoubtedly eager to get back on the mound
today, considering the fact that he is coming off his shortest outing of the
season. The lefty gave up six runs in less than five innings against the Twins
on Tuesday, yet he still owns a 10-4 record and a 3.16 ERA.

Wilson, who is 1-2 with a 2.91 ERA life-time versus Toronto, has yet to face
the Blue Jays this season.

Like Wilson, Torontos scheduled starting pitcher for todays game is coming
off a rough outing. Brandon Morrow gave up six earned runs on nine hits in
just 3 1/3 innings against Baltimore on Tuesday, halting his MLB-leading
winning streak at five games. He is 7-5 overall this season with a 4.71 ERA.

Morrow didn’t figure in the decision of his only previous start against Texas
this season. He is now 3-4 lifetime with a 4.29 ERA against the Rangers.

Derek Holland tossed a four-hit shutout yesterday as the Rangers took down the
Blue Jays, 3-0.

Holland (10-4) walked one and struck out five in his American League-leading
fourth shutout this year. He is now tied with the Philadelphia Phillies’ Cliff
Lee for the major league lead in that category.

“It was very satisfying. Not only did he need to pitch well, but we needed to
win. He kept us in the ballgame,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said about
Holland’s performance. “It was fortunate that he went out there and pitched a
pretty good game and kept them off the board.”

Mitch Moreland and Mike Napoli both homered in the Rangers’ second win in
three games.

Brad Mills (0-1) made his first start of the season and allowed two runs on
six hits and two walks while striking out five for the loss.

“Today I thought Brad (Mills) threw the ball very well. With the exception of
one pitch to Moreland, he more than did his job” Blue Jays manager John
Farrell said. “He certainly gave us the opportunity to not only stay in the
game, but to win it.”

Jose Bautista had two of Toronto’s four hits as the Jays had their three-game
win streak stopped.

Texas improved to 4-5 against Toronto this season.

The Rangers continue to lead the AL West by two games over the Angels, while
the Blue Jays are a hopeless 12 games off the pace in the loaded AL East.

The Sports Network

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TORONTO — The good news came quickly for Brad Mills following Saturday’s game.

The Toronto Blue Jays pitcher, starting for the first time of the year, had thrown well enough to get another start.

“He’s certainly earned an opportunity, there’s no doubt about it,” Blue Jays manager John Farrell said.

That he will not enter that start with a 2011 win to his name is not Mills’ fault. On a more fortuitous day than Saturday, Mills would have picked up a win in his first start of the season. On a less fortuitous day, the Jays would have managed all of two hits off of Derek Holland.

The Texas Rangers’ starter completely baffled the Blue Jays, ending Toronto’s modest win streak at three games with a 3-0 win on Saturday afternoon at the sun-soaked Rogers Centre.

In all, the Blue Jays managed four hits, but this is what they had to show for the first five innings: a Jose Bautista “base hit” in the first inning that Rangers first baseman Michael Young lost in the endless sky and a John McDonald bunt “base hit” in the second inning that Holland threw away. J.P. Arencibia added a legitimate infield hit in the eighth inning.

“From previous seasons, he’s improved by a large amount,” Jays first baseman Adam Lind said. “He used to just throw fastballs and have a slider. But now he’s locating fastballs on both sides of the plate and a slider and a curveball.”

“Any ball that seemed to be hit hard was deflected off of his glove,” Farrell added. Lind’s game-ending grounder is included in that group.

Frustrations boiled over in the sixth inning. Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler made a nice play to keep Yunel Escobar from an up-the-middle base hit, but Escobar maintained that Kinsler’s throw pulled Young off of first base. Escobar directed a few words and a few purposeful points at first-base umpire Marvin Hudson, and Hudson tossed the Blue Jays’ on-base machine. Two batters later, Bautista delivered Toronto’s only hit to the outfield on the afternoon, a sharp single to left field.

Newbie Blue Jay Colby Rasmus was part of the tepid output, going 0-for-4, keeping him hitless in 12 at-bats with his new team. However, it was hard to point at Rasmus much on this day, as infield pop-outs and meek ground balls were the norm for each piece of the batting order.

Mills was making his first start for the Blue Jays since Aug. 12, 2010. In Las Vegas this season, he has gone 9-7 with a 3.99 earned-run average. And when the Blue Jays decided they had seen enough of Jo-Jo Reyes, that decided that Mills, and not the bullpen-bound Jesse Litsch, would get the spot start. (Litsch made his season debut in the season on Saturday, allowing a home run to Mike Napoli but striking out three in the eighth inning.)

Mills has a seven-inning shut out of the Baltimore Orioles on his resume — his only Major League win — but his day did not start particularly well. Mitch Moreland hit a rocket of a two-run home run to right field in the second inning, his first off of a lefty in the regular season.

After that, however, he was solid. The Rangers helped out by resting Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and Elvis Andrus, the latter two nursing minor injuries, but Mills surrendered just six hits over the course of seven innings and 117 pitches.

“I’m not going to throw 95 [miles per hour] like their guy was today. I’m a mix guy,” Mills said. “I’m going to throw four pitches for strikes. I’m just going to try to keep them off balance.”

However, when you can throw 95, you can keep the opposition even more off balance.

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TORONTO (AP)—Coming up empty on a pair of small-ball opportunities proved
costly for the Texas Rangers.

J.P. Arencibia(notes) hit a three-run homer, Brett Cecil(notes) beat All-Star Alexi Ogando(notes)
for the second straight start and the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Rangers 3-2
Friday night.

“They had one good inning where they put up three, we had two good innings
where we put up one,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “It was execution
tonight.”

Nelson Cruz(notes) and Mike Napoli(notes) homered for the Rangers, who lost for the third
time in four games and saw Cruz leave in the fifth inning with tightness in his
left quadriceps.

Texas put runners at the corners with one out in the fourth, but Mitch
Moreland(notes) fouled out and Yorvit Torrealba(notes) struck out.

The Rangers threatened again in the sixth, when Josh Hamilton(notes) and Michael
Young(notes) opened the inning with consecutive singles. With Endy Chavez(notes) batting in
Cruz’s spot, Hamilton was forced at third on a failed sacrifice bunt. The inning
ended when Napoli popped up and Moreland grounded out.

“It’s those little things that usually come back to haunt you and they came
back and haunted us tonight,” Washington said.

Young said the Rangers need to work harder at moving runners over and coming
through in scoring opportunities. Texas went 1 for 9 with men in scoring
position and stranded eight runners.

“It’s tough to sit there and try and go double, double, homer, double,”
Young said. “Those things just happen naturally. For us, we have to bear down
on the fundamental parts of the game, not try and do too much. That’s a common
theme for us, at least it was tonight.”

For Cecil, getting the out at third on Chavez’s bunt was successful
execution of a well-rehearsed play.

“It’s a big play,” Cecil said. “We practice that more than anything at
spring training. So it’s like second nature.”

Cecil (4-4) pitched a four-hitter in Toronto’s 3-0 victory at Arlington last
Sunday and was sharp again in this one. The left-hander allowed one run and
seven hits in seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time this
season.

“The guy has got tremendous off-speed stuff,” Washington said. “We knew
that and we still couldn’t stay back like we should have.”

Frank Francisco(notes) worked the eighth and Jon Rauch(notes) pitched around Napoli’s
homer to close it out for his ninth save in 13 opportunities.

Demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas in late April following a rough start to the
season, Cecil is 3-2 with a 3.32 ERA in six starts since rejoining Toronto’s
rotation on June 30.

Edwin Encarnacion(notes) went 2 for 2 with two walks for the Blue Jays, who have
won three straight and seven of 10 overall.

The AL West-leading Rangers had won 11 straight series openers, but failed
to extend that streak in their first visit to Toronto this season.

Cruz got Texas on the board with a leadoff drive to left in the second for
his team-leading 23rd homer, snapping Cecil’s stretch of 15 consecutive
scoreless innings. Cruz has three homers and 12 RBIs in eight games against the
Blue Jays this season.

Cruz went 1 for 2 before being replaced by Chavez in the fifth. Cruz is
day-to-day, but Washington said he might give him the rest of the weekend off to
avoid aggravating the injury on Toronto’s artificial surface.

“I wasn’t taking any chances, especially on this turf,” Washington said.
“He passed all the tests, his strength is good, just not going to take any
chances on this turf. The shocks stay inside your body.”

David Murphy(notes) moved from left to right, Hamilton went from center to left and
Chavez took over in center after Cruz left.

Ogando set down nine of his first 10 batters, but the Blue Jays grabbed
control in the fifth.

Aaron Hill(notes) reached on an infield single and Travis Snider(notes) singled to left
before Arencibia mashed a slider into the left field bullpen for his 17th homer.

“It kind of fooled me a little bit because he throws hard and you’ve really
got to sit on the fastball,” Arencibia said. “I was able to still get my hands
extended and drive it out of the park.”

Napoli’s leadoff drive in the ninth was his 14th.

Ogando (10-5) allowed three runs and four hits in 5 2-3 innings. He walked a
season-high four and struck out four.

Texas had won nine of 13 away from home coming in but fell below .500 on the
road at 25-26.

Notes: Rangers INF Adrian Beltre(notes), on the 15-day disabled list with a sore
left hamstring, began his first day of exercises, one week after he was injured
while running the bases. Beltre, who leads the team with 76 RBIs, is expected to
miss two to three weeks. … Torrealba made his second career start at
designated hitter as Washington loaded his lineup with right-handed batters. …
Blue Jays LHP Brad Mills(notes) makes his first start of the season Saturday, facing
Rangers LHP Derek Holland(notes). … Rangers minor league RHP Joseph Wieland threw a
no-hitter at San Antonio. Wieland walked one and struck out seven in a 3-0
victory for Double-A Frisco.

Coming up empty on a pair of small-ball opportunities proved costly for the Texas Rangers.

J.P. Arencibia hit a three-run homer, Brett Cecil beat All-Star Alexi Ogando for the second straight start and the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Rangers 3-2 Friday night.

“They had one good inning where they put up three, we had two good innings where we put up one,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “It was execution tonight.”

Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli homered for the Rangers, who lost for the third time in four games and saw Cruz leave in the fifth inning with tightness in his left quadriceps.

Texas put runners at the corners with one out in the fourth, but Mitch Moreland fouled out and Yorvit Torrealba struck out.

The Rangers threatened again in the sixth, when Josh Hamilton and Michael Young opened the inning with consecutive singles. With Endy Chavez batting in Cruz’s spot, Hamilton was forced at third on a failed sacrifice bunt. The inning ended when Napoli popped up and Moreland grounded out.

“It’s those little things that usually come back to haunt you and they came back and haunted us tonight,” Washington said.

Young said the Rangers need to work harder at moving runners over and coming through in scoring opportunities. Texas went 1 for 9 with men in scoring position and stranded eight runners.

“It’s tough to sit there and try and go double, double, homer, double,” Young said. “Those things just happen naturally. For us, we have to bear down on the fundamental parts of the game, not try and do too much. That’s a common theme for us, at least it was tonight.”

For Cecil, getting the out at third on Chavez’s bunt was successful execution of a well-rehearsed play.

“It’s a big play,” Cecil said. “We practice that more than anything at spring training. So it’s like second nature.”

Cecil (4-4) pitched a four-hitter in Toronto’s 3-0 victory at Arlington last Sunday and was sharp again in this one. The left-hander allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time this season.

“The guy has got tremendous off-speed stuff,” Washington said. “We knew that and we still couldn’t stay back like we should have.”

Frank Francisco worked the eighth and Jon Rauch pitched around Napoli’s homer to close it out for his ninth save in 13 opportunities.

Demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas in late April following a rough start to the season, Cecil is 3-2 with a 3.32 ERA in six starts since rejoining Toronto’s rotation on June 30.

Edwin Encarnacion went 2 for 2 with two walks for the Blue Jays, who have won three straight and seven of 10 overall.

The AL West-leading Rangers had won 11 straight series openers, but failed to extend that streak in their first visit to Toronto this season.

Cruz got Texas on the board with a leadoff drive to left in the second for his team-leading 23rd homer, snapping Cecil’s stretch of 15 consecutive scoreless innings. Cruz has three homers and 12 RBIs in eight games against the Blue Jays this season.

Cruz went 1 for 2 before being replaced by Chavez in the fifth. Cruz is day-to-day, but Washington said he might give him the rest of the weekend off to avoid aggravating the injury on Toronto’s artificial surface.

“I wasn’t taking any chances, especially on this turf,” Washington said. “He passed all the tests, his strength is good, just not going to take any chances on this turf. The shocks stay inside your body.”

David Murphy moved from left to right, Hamilton went from center to left and Chavez took over in center after Cruz left.

Ogando set down nine of his first 10 batters, but the Blue Jays grabbed control in the fifth.

Aaron Hill reached on an infield single and Travis Snider singled to left before Arencibia mashed a slider into the left field bullpen for his 17th homer.

“It kind of fooled me a little bit because he throws hard and you’ve really got to sit on the fastball,” Arencibia said. “I was able to still get my hands extended and drive it out of the park.”

Napoli’s leadoff drive in the ninth was his 14th.

Ogando (10-5) allowed three runs and four hits in 5 2-3 innings. He walked a season-high four and struck out four.

Texas had won nine of 13 away from home coming in but fell below .500 on the road at 25-26.

Notes: Rangers INF Adrian Beltre, on the 15-day disabled list with a sore left hamstring, began his first day of exercises, one week after he was injured while running the bases. Beltre, who leads the team with 76 RBIs, is expected to miss two to three weeks. … Torrealba made his second career start at designated hitter as Washington loaded his lineup with right-handed batters. … Blue Jays LHP Brad Mills makes his first start of the season Saturday, facing Rangers LHP Derek Holland. … Rangers minor league RHP Joseph Wieland threw a no-hitter at San Antonio. Wieland walked one and struck out seven in a 3-0 victory for Double-A Frisco.

(Sports Network) – Alexi Ogando tries to exact a measure of revenge against
Brett Cecil and the Toronto Blue Jays this evening when the two teams hook up
for the second time in a week in the opener of a three-game set at Rogers
Centre.

The Rangers won the first two games of the series last weekend in Arlington,
but the Blue Jays escaped with a 3-0 victory in the finale backed by a
brilliant four-hit shutout from Cecil.

“It was [Cecil's] changeup, and he was spotting his fastball,” Rangers manager
Ron Washington said. “The thing of it is, a whole lot of it wasn’t for
strikes. We just couldn’t lay off of it. I felt like we could hit that guy,
but we never took the time to say, ‘OK, we’re going to make him throw
strikes.’”

Over his past three starts the left-handed Cecil is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA.
However, he is just 3-4 with a 4.71 ERA on the year.

Aside from the shutout Cecil has struggled mightily against the Rangers.
Although he is 2-0 in three starts against them, he has allowed 15 runs in 16
innings.

Ogando, meanwhile, had a three-start win streak stopped in that encounter last
week. The All-Star righty gave up three runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings,
but fell to 10-4 to go along with a 2.79 ERA.

This will be his second-ever appearance against the Blue Jays, who enter
tonight’s tilt on the heels of a series with the Baltimore Orioles. In
Wednesday’s rubber match Edwin Encarnacion finished 3-for-4 with a homer, two
RBI and two runs scored as Toronto pulled out an 8-5 win.

J.P. Arencibia posted a two-run double, while Eric Thames also homered and
drove in two for the Blue Jays, who have won three of four and went above .500
for the first time since June 1.

Carlos Villanueva (6-2) allowed six hits and four runs over just five innings
but picked up his first win in five starts.

It also marked the first game in a Blue Jays uniform for outfielder Colby
Rasmus, who was acquired from St. Louis on Wednesday. He went 0-for-5 with a
pair of strikeouts.

“I think it’s clearly an adjustment period for him,” Blue Jays manager John
Farrell said. “We’ve just got to give him an opportunity to settle in.”

Texas enters tonight’s matchup holding a two-game lead over the Los Angeles
Angels of Anaheim in the American League West after splitting a four-game
series with the Minnesota Twins.

One Ranger Cecil will have to contend with tonight will be the red-hot Josh
Hamilton, who is batting .341 with 22 RBI and 20 runs in 24 games this month.
He also has 12 extra-base hits in his last 16 games.

The Rangers are also 30-9 when the reigning AL MVP knocks in a run this
season.

Toronto has won four of its seven matchups with the Rangers this season.

The Sports Network

Encarnacion went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who have won 27 of 31 home games against Baltimore dating to 2008.

“Fun to watch, that was awesome,” Rasmus said of his new team’s offensive showing. “I was ready to get in on some of the action. I wasn’t able to do it today but I felt pretty good, I feel good about the situation. I think it’s going to be a good time.”

Acquired from St. Louis on Wednesday, Rasmus started in center field and hit second. He went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts and was the only Toronto starter not to reach base.

“With all the stuff going on, my mind was all over the place,” Rasmus said. “I couldn’t relax and settle down, my mind was everywhere.”

Blue Jays manager John Farrell said he wasn’t surprised Rasmus had trouble keeping things straight.

“I’m sure today was a little bit of a whirlwind for him,” Farrell said. “Tonight he might have pulled off a few pitches that otherwise he stays on but we’ve just got to give him an opportunity to settle in.”

Baltimore has not won a series since taking two of three against Cincinnati from June 24-26.

“It’s unfortunate,” Orioles outfielder Adam Jones said. “We started out on top and couldn’t maintain it.”

Hardy homered to left on Villanueva’s second pitch of the game, his 17th and the fourth time this season he’s led off a game with a home run.

Two outs later, Guerrero whacked a drive to left, his eighth.

“Not the way I wanted to start off,” Villanueva said.

Toronto tied it in the bottom of the first against Brad Bergesen. The Blue Jays loaded the bases with a double, a walk and an error by first baseman Derrek Lee before Encarnacion drew a bases-loaded walk and Thames followed with a sacrifice fly.

“At this level, momentum is everything,” Bergesen said. “We had it in our favor and I gave it right back.”

Villanueva (6-2) had not won since beating St. Louis on June 25. He allowed four runs and six hits in five innings, walked two and struck out one.

Toronto newcomer P.J. Walters, Casey Janssen and Frank Francisco each pitched one inning of scoreless relief. Jon Rauch gave up Hardy’s second homer in the ninth.

Four of Hardy’s five hits in the series were home runs.

“It’s good to see J.J. Hardy leave,” Farrell said. “He had a heck of a series.”

The Blue Jays took the lead for good and chased Bergesen with a four-run third, doing all the damage with two outs. Encarnacion homered to left, his eighth, and Thames followed with a drive to right, his fifth. It was the sixth time this season the Blue Jays went back-to-back.

“It’s disappointing,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “We’ve got an 0-2 count, two outs and nobody on. Next thing you know he’s given up some runs that were a dagger for us.”

Aaron Hill walked and went to third on Travis Snider’s single, sliding in safely when third baseman Mark Reynolds dropped the throw. Both runners scored when J.P. Arencibia followed with a double down the left-field line, with Snider safe at the plate when Matt Wieters fumbled the relay from Reynolds.

Showalter called the missed catches “two sure outs we should have had.”

Bergesen (2-7) allowed six runs, four earned, and six hits in three innings, his shortest outing of the season. He walked three and struck out none.

“I didn’t slow the game down when I needed to,” Bergesen said. “I just kept going quicker and quicker with my tempo.”

Baltimore cut it to 6-4 in the fifth on a two-run single by Jones, but the Blue Jays answered with two in the bottom half against reliever Mark Hendrickson. Encarnacion scored from third when Reynolds couldn’t handle a pickoff throw from Wieters, and Yunel Escobar followed with an RBI single.

Hardy hit a two-out homer in the ninth, his 18th. It was his second multihomer game of the series and the sixth of his career.

NOTES: LHP Brad Mills will start for Toronto against Texas on Saturday. He takes the spot of LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, who was designated for assignment last week. … The Blue Jays optioned INF Mike McCoy to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room on the roster for Rasmus, utilityman Mark Teahen, LHP Trever Miller and Walters. Walters was optioned to Las Vegas after the game, with RHP Jesse Litsch recalled in his place. … INF Cesar Izturis (right elbow) will work out with the Orioles when they open a four-game series in New York on Friday, but Showalter isn’t sure when he will be ready to come off the 60-day DL. … Orioles RHP Koji Uehara extended his scoreless innings streak to 14 with one shutout frame and has not allowed a run since June 19 at Washington.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

TORONTO (AP) — Colby Rasmus found his head spinning in his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays, both from a busy couple of days and his new team’s 12-hit attack.

Edwin Encarnacion and Eric Thames hit back-to-back home runs, Carlos Villanueva won for the first time in five starts and Toronto beat the Orioles 8-5 on Thursday night, handing Baltimore its eighth consecutive series loss.

Encarnacion went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who have won 27 of 31 home games against Baltimore dating to 2008.

“Fun to watch, that was awesome,” Rasmus said of his new team’s offensive showing. “I was ready to get in on some of the action. I wasn’t able to do it today but I felt pretty good, I feel good about the situation. I think it’s going to be a good time.”

Acquired from St. Louis on Wednesday, Rasmus started in center field and hit second. He went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts and was the only Toronto starter not to reach base.

“With all the stuff going on, my mind was all over the place,” Rasmus said. “I couldn’t relax and settle down, my mind was everywhere.”

Blue Jays manager John Farrell said he wasn’t surprised Rasmus had trouble keeping things straight.

“I’m sure today was a little bit of a whirlwind for him,” Farrell said. “Tonight he might have pulled off a few pitches that otherwise he stays on but we’ve just got to give him an opportunity to settle in.”

Baltimore has not won a series since taking two of three against Cincinnati from June 24-26.

“It’s unfortunate,” Orioles outfielder Adam Jones said. “We started out on top and couldn’t maintain it.”

Hardy homered to left on Villanueva’s second pitch of the game, his 17th and the fourth time this season he’s led off a game with a home run.

Two outs later, Guerrero whacked a drive to left, his eighth.

“Not the way I wanted to start off,” Villanueva said.

Toronto tied it in the bottom of the first against Brad Bergesen. The Blue Jays loaded the bases with a double, a walk and an error by first baseman Derrek Lee before Encarnacion drew a bases-loaded walk and Thames followed with a sacrifice fly.

“At this level, momentum is everything,” Bergesen said. “We had it in our favor and I gave it right back.”

Villanueva (6-2) had not won since beating St. Louis on June 25. He allowed four runs and six hits in five innings, walked two and struck out one.

Toronto newcomer P.J. Walters, Casey Janssen and Frank Francisco each pitched one inning of scoreless relief. Jon Rauch gave up Hardy’s second homer in the ninth.

Four of Hardy’s five hits in the series were home runs.

“It’s good to see J.J. Hardy leave,” Farrell said. “He had a heck of a series.”

The Blue Jays took the lead for good and chased Bergesen with a four-run third, doing all the damage with two outs. Encarnacion homered to left, his eighth, and Thames followed with a drive to right, his fifth. It was the sixth time this season the Blue Jays went back-to-back.

“It’s disappointing,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “We’ve got an 0-2 count, two outs and nobody on. Next thing you know he’s given up some runs that were a dagger for us.”

Aaron Hill walked and went to third on Travis Snider‘s single, sliding in safely when third baseman Mark Reynolds dropped the throw. Both runners scored when J.P. Arencibia followed with a double down the left-field line, with Snider safe at the plate when Matt Wieters fumbled the relay from Reynolds.

Showalter called the missed catches “two sure outs we should have had.”

Bergesen (2-7) allowed six runs, four earned, and six hits in three innings, his shortest outing of the season. He walked three and struck out none.

“I didn’t slow the game down when I needed to,” Bergesen said. “I just kept going quicker and quicker with my tempo.”

Baltimore cut it to 6-4 in the fifth on a two-run single by Jones, but the Blue Jays answered with two in the bottom half against reliever Mark Hendrickson. Encarnacion scored from third when Reynolds couldn’t handle a pickoff throw from Wieters, and Yunel Escobar followed with an RBI single.

Hardy hit a two-out homer in the ninth, his 18th. It was his second multihomer game of the series and the sixth of his career.

NOTES: LHP Brad Mills will start for Toronto against Texas on Saturday. He takes the spot of LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, who was designated for assignment last week. … The Blue Jays optioned INF Mike McCoy to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room on the roster for Rasmus, utilityman Mark Teahen, LHP Trever Miller and Walters. Walters was optioned to Las Vegas after the game, with RHP Jesse Litsch recalled in his place. … INF Cesar Izturis (right elbow) will work out with the Orioles when they open a four-game series in New York on Friday, but Showalter isn’t sure when he will be ready to come off the 60-day DL. … Orioles RHP Koji Uehara extended his scoreless innings streak to 14 with one shutout frame and has not allowed a run since June 19 at Washington.

TORONTO – Edwin Encarnacion and Eric Thames hit back-to-back home runs, Carlos Villanueva won for the first time in five starts and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-5 on Thursday night.

Encarnacion went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who have won 27 of 31 home games against Baltimore dating to 2008.

Acquired from St. Louis on Wednesday, outfielder Colby Rasmus made his Blue Jays debut, starting in center field and batting second. He went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts and was the only Toronto starter not to reach base.

J.J. Hardy hit two solo homers and Vladimir Guerrero also went deep for the Orioles, who have lost eight straight series. Baltimore has not won a series since taking two of three against Cincinnati from June 24-26.

Villanueva (6-2) had not won since beating St. Louis on June 25. He allowed four runs and six hits in five innings, walked two and struck out one.

Toronto newcomer P.J. Walters, Casey Janssen and Frank Francisco each pitched one inning of scoreless relief. Jon Rauch gave up Hardy’s second homer in the ninth.

Hardy homered to left on Villanueva’s second pitch of the game, the fourth time this season he’s led off a game with a home run. The drive was his 17th.

Two outs later, Guerrero whacked a drive to left, his eighth.

Toronto immediately tied it in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with a double, a walk and an error by Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee before Encarnacion drew a bases-loaded walk and Thames followed with a sacrifice fly.

The Blue Jays took the lead for good and chased Orioles starter Brad Bergesen with a four-run third, doing all the damage with two outs. Encarnacion homered to left, his eighth, and Thames followed with a drive to right, his fifth. It was the sixth time this season the Blue Jays went back-to-back.

Aaron Hill walked and went to third on Travis Snider’s single, sliding in safely when Mark Reynolds dropped the throw. Both runners scored when J.P. Arencibia followed with a double down the left-field line, with Snider safe at the plate when Matt Wieters fumbled the relay from Reynolds.

Bergesen (2-7) allowed six runs, four earned, and six hits in three innings, his shortest outing of the season. He walked three and struck out none.

Baltimore cut it to 6-4 in the fifth on a two-run single by Adam Jones, but the Blue Jays answered with two in the bottom half against reliever Mark Hendrickson. Encarnacion scored from third when Reynolds couldn’t handle a pickoff throw from Wieters, and Yunel Escobar followed with an RBI single.

Hardy hit a two-out homer in the ninth, his 18th. It was his second multihomer game of the series and the sixth of his career.

NOTES: LHP Brad Mills will start for Toronto against Texas on Saturday. He takes the spot of LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, who was designated for assignment last week. … The Blue Jays optioned INF Mike McCoy to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room on the roster for Rasmus, utilityman Mark Teahen, LHP Trever Miller and Walters. … INF Cesar Izturis (right elbow) will work out with the Orioles when they open a four-game series in New York on Friday, but manager Buck Showalter isn’t sure when Izturis will be ready to come off the 60-day DL.

J.J. Hardy and Vladimir Guerrero gave the Orioles a strong start. Baltimore’s momentum didn’t last long.

Edwin Encarnacion and Eric Thames hit back-to-back home runs, Carlos Villanueva won for the first time in five starts and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Orioles 8-5 on Thursday night, handing them their eighth consecutive series loss.

“It’s unfortunate,” Orioles outfielder Adam Jones said. “We started out on top and couldn’t maintain it.”

Baltimore has not won a series since taking two of three against Cincinnati from June 24-26.

Hardy homered to left on Villanueva’s second pitch of the game, his 17th and the fourth time this season he’s led off a game with a home run.

Two outs later, Guerrero whacked a drive to left, his eighth.

“Not the way I wanted to start off,” Villanueva said.

Toronto tied it in the bottom of the first against Brad Bergesen. The Blue Jays loaded the bases with a double, a walk and an error by first baseman Derrek Lee before Encarnacion drew a bases-loaded walk and Thames followed with a sacrifice fly.

“At this level, momentum is everything,” Bergesen said. “We had it in our favor and I gave it right back.”

Encarnacion went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who have won 27 of 31 home games against Baltimore dating to 2008.

Acquired from St. Louis on Wednesday, outfielder Colby Rasmus made his Blue Jays debut, starting in center field and batting second. He went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts and was the only Toronto starter not to reach base.

“With all the stuff going on, my mind was all over the place,” Rasmus said. “I couldn’t relax and settle down, my mind was everywhere.”

Villanueva (6-2) had not won since beating St. Louis on June 25. He allowed four runs and six hits in five innings, walked two and struck out one.

Toronto newcomer P.J. Walters, Casey Janssen and Frank Francisco each pitched one inning of scoreless relief. Jon Rauch gave up Hardy’s second homer in the ninth.

Four of Hardy’s five hits in the series were home runs.

“It’s good to see J.J. Hardy leave,” Toronto manager John Farrell said. “He had a heck of a series.”

The Blue Jays took the lead for good and chased Bergesen with a four-run third, doing all the damage with two outs. Encarnacion homered to left, his eighth, and Thames followed with a drive to right, his fifth. It was the sixth time this season the Blue Jays went back-to-back.

“It’s disappointing,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “We’ve got an 0-2 count, two outs and nobody on. Next thing you know he’s given up some runs that were a dagger for us.”

Aaron Hill walked and went to third on Travis Snider’s single, sliding in safely when third baseman Mark Reynolds dropped the throw. Both runners scored when J.P. Arencibia followed with a double down the left-field line, with Snider safe at the plate when Matt Wieters fumbled the relay from Reynolds.

Showalter called the missed catches “two sure outs we should have had.”

Bergesen (2-7) allowed six runs, four earned, and six hits in three innings, his shortest outing of the season. He walked three and struck out none.

“I didn’t slow the game down when I needed to,” Bergesen said. “I just kept going quicker and quicker with my tempo.”

Baltimore cut it to 6-4 in the fifth on a two-run single by Jones, but the Blue Jays answered with two in the bottom half against reliever Mark Hendrickson. Encarnacion scored from third when Reynolds couldn’t handle a pickoff throw from Wieters, and Yunel Escobar followed with an RBI single.

Hardy hit a two-out homer in the ninth, his 18th. It was his second multihomer game of the series and the sixth of his career.

NOTES: LHP Brad Mills will start for Toronto against Texas on Saturday. He takes the spot of LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, who was designated for assignment last week. … The Blue Jays optioned INF Mike McCoy to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room on the roster for Rasmus, utilityman Mark Teahen, LHP Trever Miller and Walters. Walters was optioned to Las Vegas after the game, with RHP Jesse Litsch recalled in his place. … INF Cesar Izturis (right elbow) will work out with the Orioles when they open a four-game series in New York on Friday, but Showalter isn’t sure when he will be ready to come off the 60-day DL. … Orioles RHP Koji Uehara extended his scoreless innings streak to 14 with one shutout frame and has not allowed a run since June 19 at Washington.

J.J. Hardy and Vladimir Guerrero gave the Orioles a strong start. Baltimore’s momentum didn’t last long.

Edwin Encarnacion and Eric Thames hit back-to-back home runs, Carlos Villanueva won for the first time in five starts and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Orioles 8-5 on Thursday night, handing them their eighth consecutive series loss.

“It’s unfortunate,” Orioles outfielder Adam Jones said. “We started out on top and couldn’t maintain it.”

Baltimore has not won a series since taking two of three against Cincinnati from June 24-26.

Hardy homered to left on Villanueva’s second pitch of the game, his 17th and the fourth time this season he’s led off a game with a home run.

Two outs later, Guerrero whacked a drive to left, his eighth.

“Not the way I wanted to start off,” Villanueva said.

Toronto tied it in the bottom of the first against Brad Bergesen. The Blue Jays loaded the bases with a double, a walk and an error by first baseman Derrek Lee before Encarnacion drew a bases-loaded walk and Thames followed with a sacrifice fly.

“At this level, momentum is everything,” Bergesen said. “We had it in our favor and I gave it right back.”

Encarnacion went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who have won 27 of 31 home games against Baltimore dating to 2008.

Acquired from St. Louis on Wednesday, outfielder Colby Rasmus made his Blue Jays debut, starting in center field and batting second. He went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts and was the only Toronto starter not to reach base.

“With all the stuff going on, my mind was all over the place,” Rasmus said. “I couldn’t relax and settle down, my mind was everywhere.”

Villanueva (6-2) had not won since beating St. Louis on June 25. He allowed four runs and six hits in five innings, walked two and struck out one.

Toronto newcomer P.J. Walters, Casey Janssen and Frank Francisco each pitched one inning of scoreless relief. Jon Rauch gave up Hardy’s second homer in the ninth.

Four of Hardy’s five hits in the series were home runs.

“It’s good to see J.J. Hardy leave,” Toronto manager John Farrell said. “He had a heck of a series.”

The Blue Jays took the lead for good and chased Bergesen with a four-run third, doing all the damage with two outs. Encarnacion homered to left, his eighth, and Thames followed with a drive to right, his fifth. It was the sixth time this season the Blue Jays went back-to-back.

“It’s disappointing,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “We’ve got an 0-2 count, two outs and nobody on. Next thing you know he’s given up some runs that were a dagger for us.”

Aaron Hill walked and went to third on Travis Snider’s single, sliding in safely when third baseman Mark Reynolds dropped the throw. Both runners scored when J.P. Arencibia followed with a double down the left-field line, with Snider safe at the plate when Matt Wieters fumbled the relay from Reynolds.

Showalter called the missed catches “two sure outs we should have had.”

Bergesen (2-7) allowed six runs, four earned, and six hits in three innings, his shortest outing of the season. He walked three and struck out none.

“I didn’t slow the game down when I needed to,” Bergesen said. “I just kept going quicker and quicker with my tempo.”

Baltimore cut it to 6-4 in the fifth on a two-run single by Jones, but the Blue Jays answered with two in the bottom half against reliever Mark Hendrickson. Encarnacion scored from third when Reynolds couldn’t handle a pickoff throw from Wieters, and Yunel Escobar followed with an RBI single.

Hardy hit a two-out homer in the ninth, his 18th. It was his second multihomer game of the series and the sixth of his career.

NOTES: LHP Brad Mills will start for Toronto against Texas on Saturday. He takes the spot of LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, who was designated for assignment last week. … The Blue Jays optioned INF Mike McCoy to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room on the roster for Rasmus, utilityman Mark Teahen, LHP Trever Miller and Walters. Walters was optioned to Las Vegas after the game, with RHP Jesse Litsch recalled in his place. … INF Cesar Izturis (right elbow) will work out with the Orioles when they open a four-game series in New York on Friday, but Showalter isn’t sure when he will be ready to come off the 60-day DL. … Orioles RHP Koji Uehara extended his scoreless innings streak to 14 with one shutout frame and has not allowed a run since June 19 at Washington.

Your COLBY RASMUS comes equipped with HOME RUN ACTION, INTERMITTENTLY IMPRESSIVE DEFENSE ACTION, and DEBATABLY USEFUL SPEED ACTION. Please do not expose your COLBY RASMUS to direct sunlight, fans of MAKING THINGS HAPPEN on offense, or TONY LA RUSSA.

Your COLBY RASMUS just got out of a really bad relationship, in which TONY LA RUSSA couldn’t really find the player he fell in love with, who hit groundballs and batted .300/.350 instead of .270/.350. The early-June recall involving COLBY RASMUSES who had excessively low batting averages on balls in play for no discernable or permanent reason is still in effect; for a refund, please contact DAN MOORE, of SB NATION ST. LOUIS, for a mailing address and a prepaid, COLBY RASMUS-sized box.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS: Place your COLBY RASMUS in the middle of the lineup, next to the other home run hitters, and initiate the HOME RUN ACTION by allowing him to pull the ball as much as he possibly can. COLBY RASMUS will occasionally require an internet connection so as to speak to his crazy, exhibitionist father, TONY RASMUS, re: his hitting slumps. STRIKEOUTS and AWKWARD MISPLAYS IN THE OUTFIELD are part of the normal operation of your COLBY RASMUS. Please do not overreact and trade him for a pitcher who’s a free agent at the end of the year.

Your COLBY RASMUS comes equipped with HOME RUN ACTION, INTERMITTENTLY IMPRESSIVE DEFENSE ACTION, and DEBATABLY USEFUL SPEED ACTION. Please do not expose your COLBY RASMUS to direct sunlight, fans of MAKING THINGS HAPPEN on offense, or TONY LA RUSSA.

Your COLBY RASMUS just got out of a really bad relationship, in which TONY LA RUSSA couldn’t really find the player he fell in love with, who hit groundballs and batted .300/.350 instead of .270/.350. The early-June recall involving COLBY RASMUSES who had excessively low batting averages on balls in play for no discernable or permanent reason is still in effect; for a refund, please contact DAN MOORE, of SB NATION ST. LOUIS, for a mailing address and a prepaid, COLBY RASMUS-sized box.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS: Place your COLBY RASMUS in the middle of the lineup, next to the other home run hitters, and initiate the HOME RUN ACTION by allowing him to pull the ball as much as he possibly can. COLBY RASMUS will occasionally require an internet connection so as to speak to his crazy, exhibitionist father, TONY RASMUS, re: his hitting slumps. STRIKEOUTS and AWKWARD MISPLAYS IN THE OUTFIELD are part of the normal operation of your COLBY RASMUS. Please do not overreact and trade him for a pitcher who’s a free agent at the end of the year.

TORONTO (Reuters) – The Toronto Blue Jays acquired center fielder Colby Rasmus for newly-acquired starting pitcher Edwin Jackson after multi-player trades with the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, the teams said on Wednesday.

The Blue Jays got their day started by trading reliever Jason Frasor and pitching prospect Zach Stewart to Chicago for Jackson and third baseman Mark Teahen.

About two hours later, Toronto sent Jackson, along with pitchers Octavio Dotel, Marc Rzepczynski and outfielder Corey Patterson to St. Louis for Rasmus, pitchers Brian Tallet, Trever Miller and P.J. Walters.

In 94 games with St. Louis this year, Rasmus, 24, batted .246 with 14 doubles, six triples, 11 home runs and 40 runs batted in. He was drafted in the first round in 2005.

Jackson, a 27-year-old right-hander, is 7-7 with a 3.92 earned-run average (ERA) in 19 starts with Chicago is 2011.

“Edwin Jackson and Mark Teahen are consummate professionals, but we needed to make a little bit of a dent in our payroll,” White Sox General Manager Ken Williams told Chicago media, estimating the team would save about $9 million over two years.

Frasor, 33, appeared in 44 games for Toronto this season as a reliever, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.98 ERA.

The right-handed Stewart, 24, has spent most of the season in the minor leagues. He has an 0-1 record and 4.86 ERA in three starts with Toronto in 2011.

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina; Editing by Frank Pingue)

TORONTO – Ricky Romero came within two outs of a complete game to win for the first time in five starts, J.P. Arencibia homered and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Romero (8-9) struck out Adam Jones to begin the ninth, but was replaced by Jon Rauch after Vladimir Guerrero reached on a wild third strike and Derrek Lee was hit by a pitch. The left-hander allowed four hits, walked three and struck out nine.

Rauch got Matt Wieters and Mark Reynolds to fly out, recording his eighth save in 12 opportunities.

Romero had not won since June 26 at St. Louis, going 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA in four starts. He is 5-1 in his past seven starts against Baltimore, including 4-0 at home.

The Orioles scored a season-high 12 runs and had 16 hits Tuesday, including a season-high eight for extra bases. They couldn’t get anything going against Romero, who set down 11 of 12 in one stretch.

Returning to the lineup one night after he was hit on the helmet by a pitch, Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista started at third base and singled home a run in the first. Bautista, who leads the majors with 31 home runs, went hitless in his final three at-bats but made a leaping catch on Blake Davis’ liner in the eighth.

The Blue Jays made it 2-0 in the second. Rajai Davis hit a one-out single and stole second and third before scoring on a two-out hit by Eric Thames.

Arencibia hit a two-out drive to left in the fourth, his 16th.

Orioles right-hander Alfredo Simon lost for the third time in four starts since joining the rotation earlier this month. Simon (2-4) allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings. He walked two, one intentional, and struck out a season-high seven.

Simon has received just three runs of support in his four starts, all of them in a 6-5 win over Cleveland on July 16.

Baltimore must win Thursday to avoid losing its eighth straight series. The Orioles have not won a series since taking two of three from Cincinnati from June 24-26.

Notes: Toronto had just 22 active players after making two trades earlier Wednesday, dealing RHP Jason Frasor and minor league RHP Zach Stewart to Chicago and sending RHP Octavio Dotel, LHP Marc Rzepczynski and OF Corey Patterson to St. Louis. The Blue Jays recalled LHP Brad Mills from Triple-A Las Vegas to provide depth in the bullpen and will be at full strength Thursday when OF Colby Rasmus, LHP Trever Miller and LHP Brian Tallet arrive from St. Louis, and OF Mark Teahen arrives from the Chicago White Sox. … The Blue Jays signed RHP Jeremy Gabrszwski, their second-round pick in the June draft. … Orioles RHP Brad Bergesen (2-6) will face Toronto RHP Carlos Villanueva (5-2) in Thursday’s series finale.