Rookie’s arm, hammer settle bat-flip rematch

TORONTO — Hours after winning the American League Rookie of the Month Award for April, the Majors’ youngest player put on an encore performance at Rogers Centre. Nomar Mazara’s go-ahead home run in the top of the eighth and game-saving outfield assist in the bottom half of the inning propelled the Rangers to 2-1 win over the Blue Jays on Monday night, the first meeting between the two teams since last year’s thrilling five-game AL Division Series, a battle punctuated by Jose Bautista’s famous home run and bat flip.

Mazara sent a cutter from Gavin Floyd over the center-field wall to break a 1-1 deadlock. Much like in last season’s series clincher, the Blue Jays threatened to make a comeback late against reliever Sam Dyson, loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth. But that’s when Mazara, 21, made his presence felt on the defensive side, throwing out Michael Saunders at home plate on a Troy Tulowitzki flyout to keep the Rangers in front.

Umpires reviewed the inning-ending double play and confirmed that Saunders was tagged out before touching home plate.

“The throw for sure [was more important to me],” Mazara said. “To try to preserve the lead, that’s way more important. Everything here is about winning.”

A.J. Griffin started for the Rangers and went six innings, striking out a career-high-tying nine batters while keeping Toronto’s bats at bay by changing speeds with his devastating curveball. The 28-year-old, who completed at least five innings for the 33rd consecutive start, allowed just an RBI single to Saunders in the third.

“[My curveball] makes my fastball play at a lot faster velocity, and it’s a huge weapon for me to have,” Griffin said.

R.A. Dickey started for the Blue Jays and had his longest outing of the season, throwing 6 1/3 innings while allowing only a third-inning home run to rookie catcher Brett Nicholas. The 41-year-old knuckleballer got some help from his defense in the …

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