Toronto Edges Rangers 2-1, Reaches .500 for 8th Time

Toronto reached the .500 mark for the eighth time this season as John Cerutti pitched a five-hitter today for a 2-1 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Texas shortstop Fred Manrique’s two sixth-inning errors led to both runs as the Blue Jays improved to 56-56 overall and 44-32 since Cito Gaston replaced Jimy Williams as manager. On each of the seven previous occasions that the Blue Jays got to .500, they lost the next game.

Second Complete Game

Toronto began the day three games behind division-leading Baltimore in the AL East.

Cerutti, 9-5, pitched his second straight complete game, striking out five without walking a batter. The Rangers’ only run came on Steve Buechele’s 12th homer of the season, a drive just over the left-field fence with one out in the fifth inning.

But Manrique’s errors enabled the Blue Jays to score twice in the sixth off Mike Jeffcoat, who fell to 5-5 despite pitching allowing only four hits in 7 1/3 innings.

Manny Lee led off with an infield single and took second on Manrique’s throwing error. Tony Fernandez followed with a high chopper to Manrique, who threw the ball past first again, allowing Lee to score and Fernandez to go to second.

Fernandez took third on Mookie Wilson’s grounder and scored on Kelly Gruber’s sacrifice fly to right.

Jeffcoat struck out four and walked two before being relieved by Cecilio Guante with one out in the eighth.

The Rangers, who have lost three straight games, have made 12 errors in their last five games.