Aaron Civale’s appearance in Game 5 of the ALDS on Tuesday between his Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees did not last long.
Civale was pulled from the game after allowing four of the first five batters to reach base. He walked Gleyber Torres on four straight pitches to start the game. Then he struck out Aaron Judge, but Civale hit Anthony Rizzo with a pitch and then allowed the big blow — a three-run home run to Giancarlo Stanton.
Next up was Josh Donaldson, who reached on an infield single. After Donaldson reached, Cleveland manager Terry Francona pulled Civale from the game and inserted reliever Sam Hentges.
That was hardly the start Civale wanted to make in a winner-take-all playoff game.
The winner of the game faces the Houston Astros in the ALCS.
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