Osuna returns, locks down five-out save

October 7th, 2016

ARLINGTON -- Blue Jays closer returned to the mound on Friday afternoon, recording five outs and the save in the 5-3 Game 2 win over the Rangers in the American League Division Series.
Osuna, who abruptly exited Tuesday's AL Wild Card Game against Baltimore in the top of the 10th inning, said later that he felt as though something was stretched in his right shoulder. Manager John Gibbons confirmed after Game 1's 10-1 win that Osuna wouldn't have been available on Thursday.
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"I was feeling pretty good today," Osuna said after the Blue Jays positioned themselves one game away from the series sweep. "I had the meeting with Gibby before the game, and I told him I was good today if he needed me."
Osuna -- who was already warming up -- was called on earlier than anticipated after a scary incident involving lefty , who was hit in the head with 's liner. Osuna went on to throw 31 pitches to close out the game.
"Really, that wasn't ideal. Wanted him to go one inning," said Gibbons. "But I brought in Osuna [and said], 'Hey, you've got to put a stop to this, at least keep the lead, because it goes the other way, and the game's over.' And it was starting to go that way."

With runners on first and third, Osuna got to ground out, then he struck out to end the eighth.
He also pitched around 's leadoff double in the ninth with no issues, bringing a certain measure of relief.
"Oh, absolutely. That brings me a lot of confidence, I didn't feel any pain or anything," Osuna said. "Looking forward to the next game."

Osuna, who has converted each of his first two career postseason save chances, went 4-3 with a 2.68 ERA with 36 saves in his second full Major League season.