Ernie Clement made history with his latest hit in the second inning of Saturday night’s game, securing his place in the Toronto Blue Jays playoff record books. This single extended Clement’s impressive post-season hit streak to 13 games, surpassing the previous record set by Pat Borders. Not only did this hit mark the longest streak in a single playoff run in the franchise’s history, but it also established Clement as the record-holder for most singles in a single post-season.
Clement’s remarkable streak began in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners and has seen him maintain an outstanding batting average throughout the playoffs. Entering Game 7 of the World Series, Clement boasted an impressive slash line of .353/.358/.471 with a total of 18 hits, including five extra-base hits, showcasing his consistency and skill at the plate.
Throughout the entire post-season, Clement has accumulated an impressive total of 28 hits, with his only hitless games occurring in Game 1 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees and Game 1 against Seattle. This achievement not only cements Clement’s place in Blue Jays history but also highlights his significant impact during the team’s playoff run.
In addition to Clement’s record-breaking performance, reliever Louis Varland also made history on Saturday night by setting a new MLB record for the most playoff appearances. Varland’s impressive feat in his 15th relief stint during the post-season surpassed the previous record shared by Brandon Morrow and Paul Assenmacher, both of whom contributed to their teams’ World Series campaigns.
Varland, who was acquired by the Blue Jays from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline, has been a crucial asset to the team’s bullpen. With his strong pitching performances and record-setting appearances, Varland has proven to be a valuable addition to the Blue Jays’ post-season roster.