ARLINGTON, Texas — Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar was one of Toronto’s strongest hitters over the last few weeks of the regular season.
He has picked up right where he left off in the playoffs.
Pillar went 3-for-4 with a homer and two singles in Toronto’s 8-4 victory over the Texas Rangers in Game 4 on Monday at Globe Life Park. He leads all players in the series with seven hits over four games.
"This is probably one of the bigger games I’ve had in my career," Pillar said. "Being able to drive in three runs in a post-season game — it definitely felt good."
Pillar was named American League player of the week on Sept. 28 after going 11-for-21 with four runs scored over the stretch. He now has at least one hit in 14 straight games and has reached base safely in each of his last 22 games overall.
On Monday, he followed up on Toronto’s three-run opening frame by belting a solo shot in the second inning. The 412-foot blast was caught by Blue Jays ace David Price in the bullpen.
"I told him before the game, hit me a ball in the bullpen so I can catch it," Price said. "I’m playing catch with (Marcus) Stroman in I guess the second inning and it was hit right to me, so that was pretty cool.
"I got it authenticated. I don’t know where it is right now, but that was pretty special."
Pillar said he gave the ball to the clubhouse manager after the game for safe keeping. The 26-year-old native of West Hills, Calif., had an RBI single in Toronto’s three-run third and added another RBI single in the seventh inning.
His performance boosted his post-season average to .412. He also leads all players with 12 total bases in the series.
Pillar has taken advantage of an opportunity to play on a full-time basis this year. He finished the regular season with a .278 average with 12 homers and 56 RBIs over 159 games.
His defence has also been outstanding and he has provided several highlight-reel catches in centre field.
"If I’ve got to do it with the bat or the glove, whatever it takes for me to be in the lineup any day — I’ll take it," Pillar said.
Monday’s victory evened the best-of-five American League Division Series at two games apiece. Game 5 goes Wednesday at Rogers Centre.
