TORONTO – Blue Jays’ George Springer homered on the first pitch of the American League Championship Series opener against Seattle, surpassing the New York Yankees’ Derek Jeter and moving into fifth place on the postseason home run list with 21 home runs. Springer’s hit, 385 feet to right field, against a fastball on the outside corner, put Toronto ahead with the first postseason opening home run in Blue Jays history. In the regular season, Springer has 63 lead-off home runs, second only to Rickey Henderson’s record of 81.
Manny Ramírez leads the postseason home run list with 29, followed by José Altuve (27), Kyle Schwarber (23), and Bernie Williams (22). In the same inning, Blue Jays outfielder Nathan Lukes hit a ball off his right knee and fell in pain. Although he remained in the game and received a walk after 12 pitches, he was replaced by Myles Straw at the start of the fourth inning. The team reported that Lukes suffered a knee contusion. Manager John Schneider indicated that imaging tests revealed no fracture and that he could return for Monday’s Game 2. Lukes went 4-12 with five RBIs in Toronto’s divisional series win over the Yankees, including a key two-run single in the decisive Game 4. He also made a spectacular catch in Toronto’s Game 1 victory. Seattle has won three of four games in Toronto this year.“I was just looking for something to hit,” Springer declared after Toronto’s 3-1 defeat.
George Springer
“Everyone knows, obviously, what we need to do,” Springer commented. “If some balls fall, obviously the story is a little different.”
George Springer
