Gausman, Varsho lead Blue Jays to win over Rangers

Kevin Gausman's 118-pitch complete game and Daulton Varsho's three-run first-inning homer spearheaded the Toronto Blue Jays to a 7-3 win against the Texas Rangers on Saturday.

TORONTO – Kevin Gausman’s 118-pitch complete game and Daulton Varsho’s three-run first-inning homer spearheaded the Toronto Blue Jays to a 7-3 win against the Texas Rangers on Saturday.

Gausman (9-8) gave up three runs on four hits and three walks with eight strikeouts before 35,917 at Rogers Centre.

He didn’t allow a run after the third inning to give the Blue Jays (48-56) two straight wins in their series against Texas (51-54) and their fourth win in eight games since the all-star break.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had three of his team’s 15 hits and scored three times, reached base on a two-out infield hit in the first inning. Justin Turner followed with a single to left to set the stage for Varsho’s 12th.

Alejandro Kirk followed with a sharp single to centre. He scored two batters later on Ernie Clement’s single.

The Blue Jays sent 10 batters to the plate in the opening inning, knocking off the mound starter Michael Lorenzen (5-6) after he walked the No. 9 hitter, rookie Steward Berroa.

The Rangers snatched a 1-0 lead after former Toronto infielder Marcus Semien tripled down the right-field line to start the game. He scored on a wild pitch.

The visitors pulled to within one with a two-run third inning. Semien walked and scored on a Wyatt Langford double. Langford scored on a single off Davis Schneider’s glove from Adolis Garcia.