Texas Rangers closer Jose LeCluck, who allowed a come-from-behind three-run in the top of the ninth inning, did not make an excuse.
In an interview after losing Game 5 of the Championship Series against the Houston Astros 4-5 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on the 21st, LeCluck said he would not make any excuses.
LeCluck, who pitched in relief of Aroldis Chapman with two outs and a runner on second base in the eighth inning, finished the eighth inning safely, but after sending out his first two batters in a row in the ninth inning, he allowed Jose Altuve to hit a three-run home run.
A lot has happened in the meantime. Adolis Garcia, who was hit by a walk during the team’s attack in the bottom of the eighth inning, collided with opposing catcher Martin Maldonado, resulting in a bench-clearing.
The game was delayed when pitcher Brian Abreu was sent off. It took about 25 minutes for Leclock to reach the ninth inning again.
Asked about the impact of the long gap on the pitch, he said, “That’s part of the game. I’ve experienced such a situation before. I won’t make excuses. I should have thrown better,” he replied.
The trouble was that he sent out two substitutes from the lower lineup in successively. “I felt a little out of sync,” he said, explaining why his control was shaken in the ninth inning.
But he said, “I won’t make any excuses. Altuve is a good hitter. “He did a good job,” he said, expressing his will not to make excuses once again.
As for Altuve, “He’s just a good hitter. I respect him,” he said, showing his acknowledgment of his opponent.
Coach Bruce Bochy said, “I was a little worried when the game was delayed in the bottom of the eighth inning. I was really worried. This is because the gap was long. To be honest, it was too long. Who knows what the intention was. It’s not the first time this has happened. However, the game was not resumed,” he said, expressing regret over the bench-clearing situation in the bottom of the eighth inning.
“I think it definitely affected him,” he said, adding that he thought the long gap would have affected Le Clack’s pitch.
A situation in which the outcome cannot be changed anyway. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity in this position,” LeCluck said. Today was not a good day for me. If we do it again, we will strive for better results,” he said. 토토사이트