American League Wildcard Game: Blue Jays move on as they send Orioles packing

By Francisco Romero. – Drama-less could not be, the American League Wildcard game was as wild as they come.

Edwin Encarnacion put the exclamation point in a game that went 11 innings; Encarnacion hit a three-run homerun at the bottom of that frame to send the Orioles home thus giving the Blue Jays the opportunity to advance to the American League Division Series winning by a score of 5-2.

“I thank God to give me that opportunity to have. It was a very special moment and a very special opportunity for me to get it. Thank God I did the job, and it worked out for us pretty well,” said Encarnacion after the game.

Chris Tillman was the starting pitcher of the Orioles and Marcus Stroman started for the Blue Jays, both left the game after each giving up two runs and ended up with a no-decision.

“Both teams played so well. Both teams deserved to win that game,” said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons after the game. Gibbons was thrilled as he described the last at bat the homerun that gave Toronto the victory, “I said many times, there’s something to having that last at-bat. That’s why you love the chance to play at home.”

“Great ballgame. It had to be entertaining for everybody watching, I would think,” added Gibbons.

In describing Encarnacion this is how Gibbons described him, “He’s one of the elite hitters. He’s done that many times for us.”

Toronto will now face the Rangers, the Blue Jays eliminated Texas during last season’s playoffs, “It’s going to be a very interesting series; they’re going to give their 100 percent. We’re going to give our 100 percent. But we trust ourselves. We trust our team. It’s going to be a very interesting series, and we’re looking forward to it,” said Blue Jays left fielder Ezequiel Carrera.