Jansen homers again to lift Blue Jays over the slumping AL West-leading Rangers

Danny Jansen homered for the third time in two games, Kevin Gausman worked six innings to win his fourth consecutive decision, and the visiting Toronto Blue Jays won 2-1 against the slumping AL West-leading Texas Rangers on Friday-evening.

Jansen hit a two-run homer in the fifth off Martin Perez (6-3). The day before, Jansen had two solo home runs for the Blue Jays’ lone runs in a 4–2 loss in Baltimore.

Leody Taveras homered leading up to the third inning for the Rangers (42-27), who lost for the seventh time in nine games. It was the seventh homer by the No. 9 batter this season, all in 39 games since early May.

Matt Chapman walked to start the fifth, and Jansen followed with his ninth homer, a 115-yard drive that cleared the left field wall. Jansen has gone deep six times in his last 12 games, though he played only his fourth game since being activated off the injured list after missing 2 1/2 weeks with a left groin strain.

Perez gave up 12 home runs in his 14 starts. There were only 11 long balls off him in 32 starts last season when he was an all-star for the first time.

After giving up 14 runs in 15 innings in his previous three starts, Perez limited the Blue Jays to two runs on their only three hits in six innings. He struckout three batters and walked one.

Toronto right-hander Adam Cimber returned from the paternity list and 1B/OF Spencer Horwitz was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo. The Blue Jays optioned RHP Thomas Hatch and OF Nathan Lukes to Buffalo.

Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning (5-1, 2.76 ERA) will start the series’ midgame on Saturday. The Blue Jays are having a bullpen day.