Joey Bats Hits, Flips and Sends Blue Jays To ALCS
15 Oct, 2015
Jose Bautista wiped out the need for protests or umpire reviews with the Toronto Blue Jays’ biggest home run since Joe Carter’s historic shot.
Toronto earned its first trip to the American League Championship Series since Carter’s World Series-ending drive in 1993, overcoming one of the craziest plays in playoff history when Bautista hit a three-run homer after three Texas Rangers errors for a 6-3 victory Wednesday in the deciding Game 5 of the Division Series.
“It’s the most emotionally charged game that I’ve ever played,” Bautista said.
The Blue Jays became the third team to win a best-of-five series after losing the first two games at home. The 2001 Yankees also did it against Oakland, and the 2012 Giants did it against Cincinnati. Both of those teams went on to reach the World Series.
“The odds were against us but I don’t think these guys ever thought we were out of it,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.
Toronto, who led the majors in homers this season, will play the Royals, who beat Houston in Game 5 of their series, a rematch of the 1985 ALCS. Game 1 is Friday night in Kansas City.
“It doesn’t really matter, we’re just happy we’re going to the next round,” Blue Jays slugger Josh Donaldson said. “Whoever we play is a very, very good opponent.”
Bautista’s homer capped an event-filled, 53-minute seventh inning that took a turn when Toronto catcher Russell Martin’s seemingly routine throw back to the pitcher deflected off batter Shin-Soo Choo and allowed the tiebreaking to score.
The Blue Jays filed a protest after an umpire review ruled Rougned Odor was allowed to cross home plate. Toronto fans pelted the field with debris during the 18-minute delay.
Home plate umpire Dale Scott initially ruled it a dead ball but, after Rangers manager Jeff Banister questioned the call, the umpires huddled and Odor was sent home. Martin was given an error.
According to rule Major League Baseball rule 6.03(a)(3), the batter is not to be charged with interfering with the catcher if the batter is still in the batter’s box and doesn’t make a movement to block or disrupt the throw.
This type of play is not subject to manager’s review but Scott, the crew chief, after discussing the ruling with Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, called an umpire’s review. After a delay of 2 minutes, 32 seconds, the play stood and fans continued to throw objects on the field.
The Blue Jays filed a protest.
No need for the paperwork, though.
The Rangers made three consecutive errors to start the bottom half, with Martin reaching on a fielding error by shortstop Elvis Andrus to start it off.
Kevin Pillar followed with a grounder to first, but Martin was safe at second on an errant throw by Mitch Moreland.
After Dalton Pompey pinch ran for Martin, Ryan Goins followed with a sacrifice bunt. Adrian Beltre fielded the ball and threw to third, but Andrus dropped the ball for his second error of the inning, loading the bases for Ben Revere.
“This is the toughest moment of my career so far,” Andrus said. “I feel like I let down my team and my city.”
Revere grounded into a fielder’s choice, with Moreland throwing Pompey out at the plate.
After Sam Dyson relieved Hamels, Donaldson tied it at 3 with a flare just beyond the reach of Odor at second, but Revere was forced out.
Bautista followed with a towering drive into the second deck, glaring at Dyson as he stood at home plate to admire his go-ahead drive, enthusiastically flipping his bat away.
“He’s been known to hit dramatic home runs and there ain’t a better time,” Gibbons said. “This is his first opportunity on a national stage and he rose to the occasion.”
AP
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