Music: {allcanada} MILLS MAKES FIRST START OF SEASON AS BLUE JAYS HOST RANGERS

Saturday, July 30, 2011

{allcanada} MILLS MAKES FIRST START OF SEASON AS BLUE JAYS HOST RANGERS

After going 9-7 through 20 starts at the Triple-A level, Brad Mills will make his first start of the season for the Toronto Blue Jays today against the Texas Rangers. Mills posted a 3.99 ERA for Las Vegas in the minors and registered 114 strikeouts in 130 2/3 innings.

A lefty, Mills has never faced the Rangers.

Yesterday, Brett Cecil tossed seven strong innings and J.P. Arencibia landed the big blow with a three-run homer as Toronto clipped Texas, 3-2.

Cecil (4-4) allowed seven hits and one run while fanning six and walking one for the Blue Jays, who have won three in a row and seven of 10. Cecil has now posted consecutive wins for the first time all season and has gone 3-0 in his last four starts.

"It looked like he started to tire a little bit there in the sixth and seventh," said Toronto manager John Farrell about his starter. "But he did a solid job out there against a good offensive team."

Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli hit solo homers for the Rangers, losers in four of six, but Cruz departed the game in the fifth inning with tightness in his left quad.

Alexi Ogando (10-5) worked 5 2/3 innings in the loss, charged with four hits and three runs with four strikeouts and as many walks.

The Rangers have been able to supply today's starter, Derek Holland, with ample run support this season, but found their offense lacking in Friday's opener with the Blue Jays.

Holland is 9-4 this season for Texas, impressive to say the least. The lefty has certainly benefited tremendously from strong run support however, as his 4.43 ERA is rather mediocre. Holland most recently took the mound on Monday, when he pitched six shutout innings against Minnesota. He is now 2-0 in his last three outings with a 3.10 ERA.

Holland was roughed up by Toronto earlier this season and is 1-1 in three career starts versus the Blue Jays with an 8.80 ERA.

Toronto has won five of its eight matchups with the Rangers this season.