Blue Jays’ Gausman Shines with Six Strong Innings in Game 6 Victory
Kevin Gausman delivered an impressive performance in Game 6 of the World Series, showcasing his skills for the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-handed pitcher made a strong entrance, striking out the side in the first inning and capturing six of the first seven Los Angeles Dodgers he encountered.
Key Highlights from Gausman’s Performance
- Strikeouts: Gausman struck out a postseason-high of eight batters.
- Innings Pitched: He completed six innings, the longest outing of his postseason career.
- Pitch Count: Threw 93 pitches, surpassing his previous October outing.
- Performance in the First Two Innings: He retired the first six batters he faced and nine in a row before facing trouble.
Third Inning Struggles
In the third inning, Gausman’s approach faltered. He allowed three runs on three hits and two walks during this challenging frame. This led to the Dodgers taking a 3-0 lead, stemming from critical hits by Will Smith and Mookie Betts, following a double from Tommy Edman.
Managerial Decisions
Blue Jays manager John Schneider made a strategic decision to intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani to mitigate further damage. This decision was pivotal, as Ohtani is a formidable presence at the plate.
Perfect Performance Until the Third Inning
Aside from the third inning, Gausman showcased a dominant pitching style. He started the game perfectly, retiring the first six Dodgers and executing 11 splitters in the first inning. This resulted in a remarkable eight swings and seven misses.
Relief Pitching
Louis Varland replaced Gausman to start the seventh inning. This appearance tied him with Brandon Morrow and Paul Assenmacher for the record of the most relief appearances in a postseason, with a total of 14.
Gausman’s contributions were vital for the Blue Jays in their pursuit of success in the World Series. His ability to dominate early on while facing adversity later exemplifies the challenges and excitement of postseason baseball.
