Ohka silences powerful Rangers bats

Tomo Ohka managed a first for a Blue Jays' starting pitcher this weekend: a quality outing without allowing a home run.

The right-hander tossed seven solid innings and outfielder Alex Rios clubbed his fourth homer of the season in a 7-3 Toronto victory over the visiting Texas Rangers on Sunday.

Ohka, who was given a 3-0 cushion in the first inning, allowed just one run on five hits and improved his season record to 2-2.

The Japanese veteran's outing was welcomed by a tired Jays' bullpen that had been used extensively in the first two games of the four-game series.

"That was huge, we were limited down there [in the bullpen]," Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He [Ohka] has been pitching good. That's two real good ones in a row against powerful lineups [April 23 at Boston]."

Ohka didn't allow a hit for four consecutive innings (third through sixth) as Toronto (12-12) cut the series deficit to 2-1 heading into the finale Monday night.

Ohka won his second consecutive start and picked up his 50th career win, putting him second among Japanese pitchers behind only Hideo Nomo (123).

"Fifty is just 50, nothing special," Ohka said.

After struggling with his control in the first two innings, Ohka settled down to retire 14 of the final 17 batters he faced, inducing plenty of fly outs and ground outs.

"That's one way we were able to do pretty much what we needed to at will," Jays catcher Jason Phillips said of Ohka's fastballs. "It got him through a lot of big innings and let us get the lead."

With Toronto leading 5-1 in the seventh, Ohka stranded two base-runners by inducing a fly to short from Rangers catcher Gerald Laird.

At the plate, the Blue Jays were led by second baseman Aaron Hill, who went 3-for-4 and knocked in two runs.