Edwin Encarnacion hit a bases-clearing double in Toronto's five-run first inning and later added a three-run homer as the Blue Jays crushed the Texas Rangers 12-2 on Thursday night at Rogers Centre.
The Toronto slugger belted a no-doubt blast off Rangers starter Derek Holland in the third inning for his fifth homer of the season. It was Encarnacion's 202nd home run as a Blue Jay, moving him into a tie with George Bell for fifth place on the franchise's all-time list.
Encarnacion added a double in the sixth inning, one of Toronto's 15 hits in the game. Kevin Pillar also had a three-hit night to help the Blue Jays return to the .500 mark with their third straight victory.
Josh Donaldson scored three runs and Jose Bautista scored twice as Toronto (15-15) reached a double-digit run total for the first time this season.
The Rangers opened the scoring in the first inning against Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ. Adrian Beltre, who reached base after barely beating the throw to first to avoid a double play, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Prince Fielder single.
Toronto sent 10 batters to the plate in the bottom half of the frame as Holland (3-2) loaded the bases before recording an out. Encarnacion followed by driving a pitch into the right-centre field gap to give the Blue Jays the lead.
Russell Martin drove in Encarnacion and later scored when No. 9 hitter Ezequiel Carrera hit Toronto's fifth single of the frame. Pillar flew out to finally end Holland's 32-pitch inning.
The Blue Jays feasted on Holland again in the third inning. Troy Tulowitzki, Darwin Barney and Carrera all singled and Pillar drove in two runs with a double.
Donaldson was intentionally walked and Bautista grounded into a forceout to push another run across. Encarnacion then turned on the first pitch he saw to end Holland's night.
The Texas left-hander allowed 11 hits, 11 earned runs and walked three batters over 2 2/3 innings. His earned-run average more than doubled to 5.40 from 2.48.
Happ (4-0), meanwhile, pitched seven innings and made his eighth straight quality start dating back to last season. He gave up six hits, one earned run and a walk while striking out five.
Relievers Chad Girodo and Ryan Tepera each worked an inning for the Blue Jays. Cesar Ramos pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for Texas.
The Rangers (15-14) have lost four of five overall and seven of their last eight road games. Announced attendance was 35,468 and the game took two hours 33 minutes to play.
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