The Blue Jays are headed back to the ALCS for the second straight year after completing a sweep of the Rangers with a 7-6 win on Sunday night. It was their first postseason sweep in franchise history.
Josh Donaldson, whose three hits on the night brought his average up to .538 for the short postseason, scored the walk-off run in the 10th. After doubling to lead off the inning, Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor, who had 22 regular-season errors, misplayed a double-play ball hit by Russell Martin, allowing Donaldson to score from second. The Rangers’ Hail Mary challenge claiming that there had been interference at second failed, and despite posting the best record in the American League, they were eliminated by the Blue Jays for the second year in a row.
Edwin Encarnacion and Martin both homered in the first inning to bring the Jays’ playoff dinger count up to 10 in just four games. The Rangers scored all their runs—including two dingers of their own—off Toronto starter Aaron Sanchez, who was bailed out by a bullpen that one-hit Texas over the final 4 1/3.
Thirty-year-old rookie Matt Bush took the loss for the Rangers, despite pitching well in the longest outing thus far of his Major League career.
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving, indeed.
[TBS]