Today in Blue Jays History: Jays win ALDS Game 4
Memorable Blue Jays Playoff Moments 11 Years Ago Eleven years ago, the Blue Jays triumphed in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Rangers. After dropping the first two games of the series, the Jays faced a daunting challenge. Yet, they responded with a decisive 8-4 victory, scoring early and often. From the recap: It […]
Astonishing Blue Jays Victory in ALDS Game 4
On October 12, 2015, the Toronto Blue Jays seized a significant triumph in the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Texas Rangers. After suffering defeats in the initial two games, the Jays demonstrated their resilience and determination. They achieved a commanding 8-4 victory, displaying an early and sustained offensive performance. The narrative unfolds as follows:
The match commenced impressively, with Ben Revere executing a remarkable bunt single, and Josh Donaldson immediately responding with a home run. Chris Colabello further solidified the Blue Jays' lead by delivering another home run before the Rangers had even reached their first at-bat. The second inning witnessed Kevin Pillar scoring a solo home run.
The third inning saw Donaldson walk, followed by Jose Bautista's double, which paved the way for Edwin Encarnacion's ground out to score Donaldson. Colabello's double brought the score to 7-1. A walk from Russell Martin and a single from Pillar pushed the Blue Jays ahead to 8-1. In the seventh inning, a solitary run extended their advantage to 8-2.
A controversial decision arose as R.A. Dickey pitched 4.2 innings, conceding 5 hits, recording no walks, striking out 3, and conceding just one earned run. Dickey's pitch count stood at 78, yet manager John Gibbons removed him just one out short of being eligible for a playoff win. The decision seemed perplexing, as Dickey's performance was solid despite his 5.00 ERA in the postseason.
Manager Gibbons substituted David Price, despite his postseason struggles, where he had allowed 5 runs in 7 innings during Game 1. Price had, however, posted an impressive 9-1 record since joining the Blue Jays at the trade deadline. With only one game remaining, and assuming Blue Jays' victory, Gibbons had already chosen Marcus Stroman to start the final game.
He may have wished to avoid any controversy surrounding that decision. Personally, I would have preferred Price to remain available for Game 5, should Stroman struggle. Dickey was granted the opportunity to secure the win, and it seemed unwise to employ Price when Dickey could have pitched longer, keeping the bullpen fresh for the decisive game. This victory set the stage for a highly intriguing Game 5.
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