Gallo makes his first start in center field

TORONTO -- Joey Gallo made his first career start in center field, as the Rangers beat the Blue Jays, 4-0, at Rogers Centre on Saturday afternoon.

Gallo made one play on a Kevin Pillar lineout in the third inning, before he was moved to left, as Leonys Martin entered the game in the sixth.

The Rangers' rookie, who's the club's No. 1 prospect according to MLB.com, had appeared in 15 games at his natural position at the hot corner and seven in left field since joining the team. It's something Gallo had never done before at any level in his career.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister said getting Martin in the game was an important defensive decision, as Texas attempted to lock down its first win in seven games.

"The plan there was, more than anything, was to get Leonys off his feet a bit, give him a break," Banister said of Martin, who swatted a single in his first of two at-bats on the afternoon. "Once we got the lead we thought we were gonna play defense for the second half of the ball game -- and it played out well for us."