Kevin Gausman was cruising through five innings once again this post-season, but a two-out homer and walk in the sixth inning had Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider make the call to the bullpen in Game 1 of the ALCS.
After opening the inning with a groundout and strikeout, Gausman gave up a solo shot to Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and walked centre-fielder Julio Rodriguez on Sunday. It ended his night after 5.2 innings and 76 pitches and brought lefty Brendon Little into the game to face switch-hitter Jorge Polanco.
Trying to keep the game tied at 1-1, Little allowed Rodriguez to advance to second on a wild pitch before giving up a single down the left-field line to Polanco, allowing Seattle to take the lead.
The run was charged to Gausman, whose final line read three hits, two runs, one walk and five strikeouts
Schneider and the Blue Jays opted for Little in the big spot, despite his recent struggles with standing inherited baserunners. The 29-year-old has allowed 40 per cent of such runners to score since Aug. 26, according to Sportsnet Stats.
Polanco had also been more effective against left-handed pitching this season, carrying an .888 OPS against lefties and an .802 mark against righties.
Little did end up escaping further damage by striking out Josh Naylor to end the frame.
Toronto then turned the game over to Louis Varland in the seventh.
In Game 1 of the ALDS, Gausman was through five scoreless against the New York Yankees before running into trouble in the sixth. He walked in a run in that inning and turned the ball over to Varland with two outs. The reliever struck out Giancarlo Stanton to escape the jam and help the Blue Jays take the series opener.
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