American League Divisional Series
Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers
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After winning last night and keeping the series alive, the Toronto Blue Jays looked to tie the series with a convincing game 4 win. The Blue Jays would do exactly that, winning by a final score of 8-4, shifting the series back to Toronto for game 5.
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On the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays would be pitcher R.A. Dickey. Dickey, age 40, would be the oldest pitcher to make his MLB postseason debut. His debut would be a nice one, as Dickey would go 4.1 innings, allowing one run on 5 hits.
The Texas Rangers would start Derek Holland to face off against a high-powered offense. Holland’s day would be cut very short, as he would go just 2 innings, allowing 6 runs, including 3 home runs, on 6 hits.
In the first inning, the Toronto Blue Jays’ offense would get hot. Following a Ben Revere bunt single to start the game, Josh Donaldson would homer to right field, giving the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead. Chris Colabello would later homer as well, giving the Blue Jays 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, the Texas Rangers would threaten to get a run back. Following a Shin-Soo Choo single to right, Adrian Beltre would single, moving Choo into scoring position. Prince Fielder would then fly out to center, moving Choo just 90 feet away from scoring. Mitch Moreland would pop out and end the inning.
In the second inning, Kevin Pillar homered to left center field, giving the Blue Jays an early 4-0 lead in a must-win situation. Holland would get two straight outs to get out the inning.
In the top of the third inning, the Blue Jays bats really hit fire. Following a Josh Donaldson walk, Jose Bautista would double, moving Donaldson to third. Edwin Encarnacion would ground into a fielder’s choice, scoring Donaldson. Colabello would double on the next at bat, scoring Encarnarcion. In the inning, the Blue Jays would score a total of 3 runs that inning, increasing their lead to 7 runs.
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In the bottom of the inning, the Rangers would get a run back, giving the team a glimmer of hope. Following a Choo single, Beltre would single to center field, moving Choo over to third. This time, Choo would score on a wild pitch by Dickey, reducing the Blue Jays lead to 7-1.
In the top of the next inning, the Blue Jays would threaten to score once again. Following a Ben Revere walk, Donaldson would ground into a fielder’s choice. Encarnarcion would single, moving Donaldson to third base but Colby Lewis would get out of the jam forcing Chris Colabello to strike out.
In the fifth inning, Dickey would be relieved by David Price, making it look like the Blue Jays would go into game 5 with Marcus Stroman on the mound.
In the top of the 7th, the Blue Jays would once again increase their lead, this time on the back of Pillar. Following a Russell Martin double to right field, Pillar would shallow to shallow right center field, giving the Blue Jays their eighth run of the campaign.
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In the bottom of the inning, the Rangers would get a run back, though. Following a Rougned Odor single, Robinson Chirinos would single to left, scoring Odor from first and cutting the lead back down to 6.
In the next inning, the Blue Jays would once again threaten to score and put the game almost officially out of reach. After a Revere single, he would swipe second, putting the Blue Jays in scoring position. Sam Dyson would get out the inning with no damage done, keeping the score at 8-2.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Rangers would make the game somewhat interesting. Following a Choo and Fielder single, Moreland grounded out to second, scoring Choo and cutting the league to 5. On the next at bat, Elvis Andrus would single, scoring Fielder from second and reducing the lead to 4.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Blue Jays would call on Roberto Osuna with hopes of closing out game 4, moving the series back to Toronto for the decisive game 5. Osuna would do exactly that, forcing three outs on three at-bats.
Player of the game- Kevin Pillar:
Pillar was a key part to the Blue Jays victory, going 3-4 with a home run and three RBI’s. If it weren’t for him, the game would either be much closer or the Rangers would very well win the game.
ALDS Game 5 (Series Tied 2-2)
Tied at 2, the series now shifts to Toronto for the decisive game 5. The game will take place on Wednesday, October 12, at 4:07 PM ET. On the mound for the Rangers will be Cole Hamels, who has a 2.57 ERA this series and the Blue Jays will call on Marcus Stroman after virtually burning Price in game 4 while Dickey was commanding a 6 run lead.