The Mariners gave starter Bryce Miller a brief opportunity, but things didn’t go as planned.
During Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Blue Jays, Seattle opted to pull Miller after he allowed a runner to reach base in the fifth inning.
Miller had thrown only 56 pitches over four innings and hadn’t given up any runs, which made the decision surprising.
Matt Blasch was brought in to replace Miller, but things took a downturn when he allowed an RBI double to Toronto’s George Springer, leveling the game at 1-1.
In the following inning, Seattle turned to Brian Wu for relief, yet the Mariners found themselves trailing 2-1 after giving up another run.
Miller had last pitched for Seattle on Sunday, completing 76 pitches in Game 1 against Toronto, so it raised eyebrows about why he was removed so early.
He faced a challenging moment with the bases loaded in the fourth but managed to escape by forcing a double play.
Miller’s postseason debut had been in Game 4 of the ALDS, where he threw 55 pitches and allowed two earned runs over 4⅓ innings.
Throughout the playoffs, Seattle has been known for quickly pulling starters, having controversially yanked George Kirby after just 66 pitches in the ALDS against the Tigers.
On that occasion, the bullpen allowed two runs, which threatened their lead, but the Mariners managed to win a tense 15-inning game before being eliminated from the ALCS.
