Stats of the Day: Newbies comfy on big stage

October 7th, 2016

Here are three interesting items from Game 1 of the American League Division Series …
• Postseason newcomers dominated at the plate as the Indians took Game 1 of their ALDS against the Red Sox, 5-4. (Game 2: Friday at 4:30 p.m. ET, TBS). Three Red Sox -- , and -- homered in their postseason debut. Two Indians -- and -- did as well. This contest marked the first in postseason history to see five players homer in their first postseason game. Two previous contests had seen four players do it: Game 1 of the 1995 ALDS between the Red Sox and Indians, and Game 1 of the 2007 ALDS between the Yankees and Indians. Cleveland has won all three of these referenced games.
The Blue Jays cruised to a 10-1 victory over the Rangers in the first game of their ALDS. (Game 2: Friday at 1 p.m. ET, TBS/Sportsnet/TVA). Highlighting the offensive side, went 4-for-4 with two doubles and a walk, while drove in four runs with an RBI single and a three-run home run. Donaldson became the 45th player in postseason history to have at least five plate appearances and to reach safely in every one of them.

• With his sixth postseason home run, Bautista tied Joe Carter for the most in Blue Jays history. Bautista's six have come in 13 games -- a notable start for any player on any team. The most roundtrippers for a player through his first 13 postseason contests: (eight); Bernie Williams, Juan Gonzalez, Nomar Garciaparra, Troy Glaus, Melvin Upton Jr. (playing as B.J.) and (seven); Goose Goslin, Bob Robertson, Ken Griffey Jr., , and Bautista (six).