A three-run Edwin Encarnacion homer sent Toronto to the ALDS with a 5-2 extra-inning win over Baltimore on Tuesday night in the AL wild-card game.
Encarnacion went deep off O’s righty Ubaldo Jimenez (8-12, 5.44 ERA), who came on with one out and nobody on in the bottom of the 11th. Devon Travis singled, and advanced to third on a Josh Donaldson single.
Encarnacion’s blast to left was a no-doubter, and was the fourth walk-off homer in Blue Jays’ playoff history.
The Toronto pitching staff was solid all night long, allowing just five baserunners on the night. Mark Trumbo hit a two-run homer in the fourth, one of the four Orioles hits, to provide the only offense of the night for Baltimore.
Starter Chris Tillman lasted just four and a third innings, giving up two runs on four hits, striking out four and walking one before being lifted after throwing only 74 pitches.
Five O’s relievers had combined to throw six shutout innings, allowing two hits and walking one, in advance of the Jimenez meltdown.
O’s closer Zach Britton, the best reliever in baseball in 2016, with a 0.54 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 67 innings this season, did not get into the most important game of the season for Baltimore, whose season ends with the loss.
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Chris Graham
