Today in Blue Jays History: Jays win ALDS Game 4
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Memorable Blue Jays Playoff Moments
11 Years Ago
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Eleven years ago, the Blue Jays triumphed in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Rangers.
After dropping the first two games of the series, the Jays faced a daunting challenge. Yet, they responded with a decisive 8-4 victory, scoring early and often.
From the recap:
It started perfectly. Ben Revere put down an excellent bunt single, and Josh Donaldson followed with a home run. Then a Chris Colabello home run put us up 3-0 before the Rangers had their first at-bat.
Second inning: Kevin Pillar hits a solo homer.
Third inning: Donaldson walks, Jose Bautista doubled followed by an Edwin Encarnacion ground out (Bautista tried to go second to third, but Elvis Andrus decoyed him and got him at third), scoring Josh. Colabello doubled, bringing home another. A Russell Martin walk and a Pillar single were up 7-1.
One more run in the seventh got us to 8.
A bit of controversy emerged as R.A. Dickey pitched 4.2 innings, surrendering 5 hits, no walks, 3 strikeouts, and just one earned run. Despite a manageable pitch count of 78, manager John Gibbons removed him just one out shy of qualifying for a playoff win. It seemed strange to take the win away from R.A.
Gibbons brought in David Price, despite Price’s postseason struggles—he had allowed 5 runs in 7 innings in Game 1. Price had posted a stellar 9-1 record with a 2.30 ERA since joining the Jays at the trade deadline.
With only Game 5 remaining, and assuming the Jays would win, Gibbons had already chosen Marcus Stroman to start the finale. Perhaps he wanted to avoid any controversy regarding that decision.
Personally, I would have preferred Price to be available in the bullpen for Game 5, in case Stroman struggled. Dickey deserved the chance to earn the win, and it seemed unnecessary to use Price when Dickey could have pitched deeper, keeping the bullpen rested for the deciding game.
The win set up a very interesting game five.
34 Years ago
The Jays clinched Game 6 of the ALCS, advancing to the World Series for the second consecutive year with a 6-3 victory over the White Sox.
Dave Stewart delivered 7.1 strong innings, allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. Duane Ward secured the save, surrendering a solo home run over 1.2 innings and striking out three.
On the offensive side:
Devon White went 3-for-5, capping the game with a ninth-inning home run. Paul Molitor contributed by going 1-for-3 with a walk and a triple, driving in two in the ninth—a key three-run inning, especially after Ward allowed a home run in the bottom half. Pat Borders added a 2-for-4 performance with three RBIs, highlighted by a two-run single in the second and an RBI ground out in the fourth.
The Jays would go on to defeat the Phillies in the World Series.
That team featured an outstanding lineup:
Toronto Blue Jays TableBattingABRHRBIBBSOPABAOBPSLGOPSPitWPADetailsRickey Henderson LF5000015.120.241.200.44124-0.147Devon White CF5131015.444.464.6671.131270.088HRRoberto Alomar 2B5010005.292.393.333.726260.035SBJoe Carter RF5110015.259.286.259.54519-0.109John Olerud 1B4210105.348.464.391.85617-0.028Paul Molitor DH3212115.391.481.6961.177150.1443B,HBP,IWTony Fernández SS4000005.318.375.318.69329-0.149SHEd Sprague 3B3010114.286.333.381.714160.046Pat Borders C4023004.250.250.292.54290.1852BTeam Totals3861063543.263.333.421.7541820.065Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original TableGenerated 10/12/2026.
When you have Paul Molitor batting 6th, you know that’s a good group of hitters. There are three Hall of Famers in that lineup.