October 12, 2019

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

- North Delta Blue Jays alum James Paxton (Ladner, BC) will be the New York Yankees’ starting pitcher in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday. Bombers manager Aaron Boone has opted to go with veteran right-hander Masahiro Tanaka in Game 1. Tanaka has been a strong playoff performer for the Yankees since 2015, posting a 4-2 record and a 1.54 ERA in six post-season starts. Paxton started the first game of the ALDS for the Yankees and allowed three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings while striking out eight batters in his first playoff start.

- That was former Toronto Blue Jays catcher Yan Gomes who not only nearly called a no-hitter for Washington Nationals pitcher Anabal Sanchez on Friday, but he also went 2-for-3 with a walk. His RBI double in the second inning knocked in the Nats’ first run in their 2-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. Born in Brazil, Gomes was selected in the 10th round of the 2009 draft by the Blue Jays. He hit .204 with four home runs in 43 games for the Blue Jays in 2012 before he was dealt to the Cleveland Indians following that season for right-hander Esmil Rogers. Between his time with the Indians and the Nationals, Gomes owns a .290 batting average with three doubles in 15 postseason contests.

- Yesterday, when I wrote about Windsor, Ont., native Stubby Clapp being the first base coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, I neglected to mention that Cards’ bullpen catcher Jamie Pogue is from Guelph, Ont. The 42-year-old Pogue played parts of nine seasons in the professional ranks - including 68 games with the independent Frontier League’s London Werewolves in 1999 - before coaching with the Ontario Blue Jays program from 2009 to 2011. The Canadian national team alum joined the Cardinals in his current role in 2012.

- 34 years ago today, pinch-hitter Al Oliver hit a two-run double off Dan Quisenberry in the ninth inning to propel the Blue Jays to 3-1 win over the Kansas City Royals in Game 4 of the 1985 American League Championship Series. The win gave the Blue Jays a 3-1 series lead. In previous years, this would've clinched the Blue Jays a World Series berth. Unfortunately in 1985, the Championship Series were switched to a best four-of-seven format.

- 26 years ago today, the Blue Jays defeated the Chicago White Sox 6-3 in Game 6 of the 1993 ALCS to advance to the World Series for the second consecutive season. Blue Jays right-hander Dave Stewart allowed just two runs in 7 1/3 innings and Pat Borders recorded three RBIs in the victory. You can watch the final out below.