Texas's seldom-used backup infielder Hanser Alberto hit a tiebreaking single in the 14th inning that helped the Rangers beat Toronto 6-4 on Friday (Saturday AEDT) and take a 2-0 lead in their Major League Baseball American League Division Series.
After two road wins, the Rangers can clinch the best-of-five series at home on Sunday and become the first team into the final four of the MLB playoffs.
The other AL series is even at 1-1 after Kansas City rallied to beat Houston, while in the opening games of the two National League series, St. Louis defeated the Chicago Cubs in the first playoff game between the long-time rivals, and pitcher Jacob deGrom steered the New York Mets to victory at the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Texas's victory seems to owe more to the bat used in the 14th inning than the individuals wielding it. Alberto decided to use the bat of teammate Delino DeShields and produced the go-ahead hit, and then DeShields used it for an infield hit that drove in an insurance run.
"I didn't even ask him for it," Alberto said. "Good wood, too, you know?"
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Alberto, batting last and only in the lineup because star third baseman Adrian Beltre was out with a strained back, made an error that led to Toronto's first two runs but redeemed himself with his big hit in extra innings.
Alberto, who made his big league debut this season, also had a sacrifice fly.
"It's extremely special for him," Rangers first-year manager Jeff Banister said. "Really, a guy that has sat at the end of the bench for us, an extra player."
Another packed crowd at Rogers Centre that made a lot of noise early was quiet at the very end.
Toronto, back in the postseason for the first time since winning the 1993 World Series, lost for the second straight day at home.
Texas' Rougned Odor hit a two-out single in the 14th but was nearly thrown out after going too far around second base on a single by Chris Gimenez, with the call confirmed by replay review.
"You wonder if 50,000 could be wrong," Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar said. "I'm pretty sure I saw some daylight there."
That call proved pivotal when Alberto lined a single to centre, sending Odor tumbling home.
Kansas City rallied from a three-run deficit, getting a go-ahead single from Ben Zobrist in the seventh inning, and edged Houston 5-4.
