Blue Jays' Goins shines on mound in 18th inning
The Toronto Blue Jays didn't have much to smile about throughout their tense Canada Day matinee with the Cleveland Indians, but they may have found an unlikely solution to their bullpen woes in Friday's 19-inning marathon.
Summoned out of the bullpen to preserve a 1-1 tie in the top of the 18th inning, utility man Ryan Goins shined in his first professional pitching appearance, hitting 90 mph on the radar gun and mixing in a nice breaking ball before working out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam with an inning-ending double play.
"When an infielder gets you out on a ground-ball double play and all you need to do is get the ball to the outfield, that's terrible," said Frank Thomas, the Hall of Famer (and former Blue Jay) who now serves as an analyst for FOX Sports.
Darwin Barney, who started at second base Friday at Rogers Centre, didn't fare as well as Goins when he was called upon to throw the 19th, as the former Gold Glover served up a go-ahead solo shot to Carlos Santana en route to a 2-1 loss (and the Indians' 14th straight win).
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)