108: Recapping the Blue Jays wild, Wild Card game using YOUR TWEETS
In the second ever instalment of "YOUR TWEETS", Section 108 revisits the Jays epic Wild Card showdown.
By: Tyler King
Canadian Baseball Network
Yes, Edwin Encarnacion's walk-off home run was great and all - like really, really great.
But the real winner Tuesday?
The internet.
So in case you missed it, or even if you didn't, here's a unique recap of how it all went down ... on Twitter that is.
(Full disclosure: My head is still throbbing from that night, so I thought I'd let you all do the writing for me. Thanks for that!)
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October 3, 2016 - The Buildup
The Wild Card madness began as soon as the Blue Jays clinched their postseason birth - at the last possible moment I might add.
And having burned ace Aaron Sanchez in that final game of the regular season, the big question on everyone's mind was, "Who starts"?
On Tuesday afternoon, the fans had their (surprising?) answer. Manager John Gibbons announced #6ix icon Marcus Stroman would get the ball.
But Stroman - who don't forget was the Blue Jays opening day starter nearly seven months ago - was clearly not the unanimous choice among the fanbase.
There were some compelling reasons why Gibbons perhaps should have gone with the left-handed deadline acquisition Francisco Liriano. But does Gibby really strike anybody as being the most rational of managers (and in this case, thank god for that)?
Ok, Ok, you may have a point ...
(I'd love to see that dude's reaction now).
But there were also many people who believed in Gibby's decision to start one of the team's franchise guys. It should be noted, however, that a lot of these people were Orioles fans.
Take from that what you will.
(Spoiler: You're welcome @alexkidwell)
Regardless which side you were on, in retrospect we can all agree that this fan had the right attitude:
October 4, 2016 - Pregame
Fans packed the (domeless) dome early on the night of the do-or-die game - marking the first open air playoff game ever at the SkyDome-turned-Rogers Centre.
Those not in the dome were gathered around a TV somewhere, or else they were constantly refreshing StubHub in hopes of snatching those elusive last minute tickets. Based on the exorbitant ticket resale prices, they were also looking for a creative means to purchase them.
Meanwhile, inside the dome it was clear there was some nervous energy ...
But the fans weren't the only ones feeling it.
Oh he "shook it early" all right ...
Top of the First
US Anthem (respectful). Canadian Anthem (rowdy). Hall of Famer and two-time World Series champion Robbie Alomar's ceremonial pitch. Tasteful.
Andddddd ... Play ball!
Now I'm quite certain Stroman could have just stood on the mound and blown bubbles for 20 straight minutes and the crowd would have went crazy. But he wisely mowed through the Orioles in order instead.
Adam Jones flies out. *Crowd goes bananas*
Hyun Soo Kim grounds out ...
Machado pops out. (Ahem ... crowd goes bananas).
Collective beer chugging ensues!
Bottom of Two
Joseeeee, Jose, Jose, Joseeeeeee Bautista sends a Chris Tillman 3-1 tomato into the left field bullpen.
No. No you can't.
Come on, man, already?!
You're damn right he admired his work. #MakeBaseballFunAgain
Jays 1 - Orioles 0.
Top of Four
After not allowing a baserunner the first time through the order, those Stroman-haters would soon have their (brief) "I-told-you-so" moment.
But first ... the Kevin Pillar show!
With one on and one out, the man they call Superman makes yet another superb catch, robbing Manny Machado of extra bases and the Orioles of a run - for a couple seconds anyway.
(Neither does his strike zone ... ba-dum Tshh)
Abracadabra-catch-a-da-baseball
Honestly, he's not wrong ...
But as good as that catch was, regular season home run leader Mark Trumbo spoiled (almost) everything on the next pitch, as he launched a two-run homer to left.
Not very original. But to the point. I like it.
I mean, she's no manager but ...
Orioles 2 - Jays 1.
Bottom of Five
After trailing for an inning, the Blue Jays and Ezequiel Carrera said "No more". Or, more accurately, "No Mas".
(*Disclaimer: If that is horrible Spanish please send complaints to Google Translator.*)
With Michael Saunders on third and one out, Carrera came up with a clutch single to tie the game.
Ya! Whatever that tweet said!
Update: He did not "get that boy trending". Although how hilarious would a "ZEEK ZEEK EZEQUIEL CARRERA" chant be at the dome (done in a flawless Spanish accent of course)?
Also, after Zeek's base hit Orioles manager and all-around bad guy Buck Showalter comes out and yanks Tillman. Jays fans laugh hysterically at this quick hook.
Sidewinder Mychal Givens comes on.
Jays fans cry hysterically as Devon Travis grounds into the first of his two costly double plays.
Jays 2 - Orioles 2.
Bottom of the Seventh Inning
Even if you haven't watched a second of baseball in your life, by now I'm sure you (and the entire world) know some idiot threw a beer from the stands while Baltimore outfielder Kim was trying to catch a Melvin Upton Jr. flyball.
While most fans felt like throwing the beer tosser himself onto the field, some were able to find a bit of humour in that embarrassing situation.
(In reference to last year's ALDS Game 5, where fans from the upper deck threw many beers, one of which apparently struck a child ... ok,, maybe it's not that humourous.)
A little more than one I'd say, but I appreciate what you're trying to do.
Top of the Ninth
After three innings that featured hitless outings from Jays relievers Brett Cecil, Joe Biagini, and #1 hype-man Jason "fire-up-the" Grilli, Gibbons elected to go to his 21-year-old closer Roberto Osuna.
Umm ... Why don't you ask what Showalter thinks about that?
Bottom of the Ninth
No Zach Britton for the Orioles? Hell yes!
Leadoff double? Hell YES!
Strikeout - double play and the Jays do, in fact, "spoil this opportunity"? Dear god NO!
I don't know this "Buzz Killington", but I can tell you I don't care for him.
Top of 10
Extra-innings in a one-game elimination? Can't say that's good for the ol' ticker. And apparently running Osuna out for another inning isn't good for his shoulder either ...
As trainer George Poulis made his way to the mound to deal with an apparent injury to Osuna, there was one thing on every Jays fan's mind:
(It wasn't blisters. But it's not supposed to be serious nonetheless.)
So with Osuna out of the game, the lefty that many fans wanted to start the game in the first place got the call.
Oh, I remember (*evil cackle*).
Eighteen? Some of us have to work tomorrow dude.
(Actually I called in "sick", but you get it.)
Ah, glad to see somebody came around!
Of course, Liriano proceeded to pitch an 1 2/3 perfect innings, so maybe both sides were right after all.
Bottom of the Eleventh
Still no Zach Britton for the Orioles ...
(Read that last one twice. You'll get it, I promise).
So with one out - and many fans wondering if they'll get to sleep tonight - Showalter makes yet another curious move, electing to bring in starter Ubaldo Jimenez.
I repeat, they bring in Jimenez, and not their potential Cy Young winning closer Britton.
And when Jimenez gives up two straight hits, putting runners on first and third, do you think Showalter would do something as conventional as bringing in his best reliever in a do or die situation, especially with the American League RBI leader stepping to the plate?
Ha! Of course not. This is nothing a little mound visit can't solve!
Jimenez: "Eh, Buck ... Will a centre-cut fastball do?"
Encarnacion: "That'll do, Ubaldo. That'll do.."
Next pitch?
(Yes, in a contract year Edwin's stock clearly rose after that one swing. But honestly who cares, give him all of the money. Whatever he wants!)
I mean, the only thing better than the crowd's reaction was the instant look of disgust given by Orioles catcher Matt Weiters.
lol.
And here was a live look at me calling my boss in the morning:
Just the price of making memories, my friends.
(To be clear, I'm making that my background because I want to, not because you told me to.)
But now that the lingering euphoria has begun to slowly wear off, fans must set their sights on the next task.
The Texas Rangers.
The only question is, what epic moment do the Blue Jays have in store next?
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Follow Tyler and #Section108 on twitter: @TylerJoseph108