Barajas, Rolen spark big sixth, power Jays to victory

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Rod Barajas and B.J. Ryan had different reasons for their extra motivation Saturday.

Barajas keyed a big sixth inning with a two-run double and Ryan pitched a scoreless ninth one night after blowing a save, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-4 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Ryan allowed three runs in the ninth as the Rangers rallied for a 9-8 win on Friday.

David Murphy, whose two-run single beat Ryan and the Blue Jays in the series opener, led off the ninth inning Saturday with a single. But Ryan retired the next three hitters to earn his 21st save in 24 opportunities.

"That's a perfect scenario," Ryan said. "You get back out there and jump right back in the middle of it and make better pitches than you did the night before. It's a cliche and all that, but you just want to get back out there and finish off the game."

Barajas played with the Rangers from 2004-06 and his big hit gave the Blue Jays a 4-3 lead. This was after the Rangers intentionally walked Matt Stairs to face Barajas.

Scott Rolen followed with a two-run double to cap the four-run inning.

"Anytime they walk the guy in front of you to face you, it's kind of a slap in the face," Barajas said. "It shows they made a mistake."

A.J. Burnett (13-9) allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings to win his third consecutive start. The right-hander, who established a career high in victories, struck out four and walked two.

Scott Feldman surrendered four runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings in Texas' first game with a revamped coaching staff.

The Rangers replaced pitching coach Mark Connor with Andy Hawkins and bullpen coach Dom Chiti with Jim Colborn after Friday night's victory.

"It's a part of the game," Feldman said of the coaching changes. "All you can do is pitch as well as you can, no matter who the coach is."

Marco Scutaro led off the sixth with a single, but was thrown out by Texas right fielder Josh Hamilton when he tried to advance to third on Alex Rios' base hit. Feldman (4-4) exited after walking Lyle Overbay.

After a groundout advanced both runners, Jamey Wright intentionally walked Stairs to load the bases and Barajas lined a pitch down the third-base line.

"Scott Feldman pitched his tail off," Wright said. "It's just frustrating to see him pitching that well and have me come in here and lose the game."

The Rangers answered with a run in the sixth on Gerald Laird's RBI single, chasing Burnett. Scott Downs, who pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings of relief, retired Chris Davis on a grounder with runners on first and second to end the threat.

Burnett improved to 7-2 since June 24, getting some help from his defense.

Michael Young led off the sixth with a drive to right but Brad Wilkerson ran toward the corner and made a leaping catch at the top of the wall.

Young watched a replay and said he thought Wilkerson trapped the ball after it hit the wall first. But the Rangers shortstop also acknowledged it was a tough call to make.

"I felt kind of lucky to make that catch," Wilkerson said. "I timed it right, and it went right into my glove. I didn't know I caught it. I just closed my eyes, looked in my glove and was excited I caught it."

Frank Catalanotto's two-out, two-run double in the fifth gave Texas a 3-2 lead.

The Blue Jays took a 2-1 lead in the third when Joe Inglett singled, stole second and scored on Rios' single.

Game notes
Rangers DH Milton Bradley was not available for a fourth consecutive game due to a strained left quadriceps. ... RHP Roy Halladay got an extra day off this week because of an off-day, meaning the Toronto ace will pitch on six days' rest Monday night against Oakland. "This guy leads the league in complete games, so it won't hurt him at all," manager Cito Gaston said. ... The game-time temperature was 102 degrees.