Blue Jays flame out in controversial and spectacular fashion

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Blue Jays manager John Schneider says over time he's learned to be comfortable making controversial in-game decisions.

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After a crushing 6-2 loss to the Mariners on Friday night in Seattle, Schneider stepped closer to the fire after the Jays erupted in spectacular fashion.

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It was a terrible way for the Jays to lose, as Schneider walked to erratic pitcher Brandon Little in the eighth inning and paid dearly for it. Not only did Little not eject any of the three Seattle haters he faced, he made a splash on the biggest stage and at the biggest moment of the season.

The first one to step up to the plate was a mismatch if you ever saw one. MLB home run champion Cal Raleigh against Little, who struggled to find consistency outside of the Jays' pen. As if on cue, Raleigh unleashed a powerful shot to left that narrowly missed the wall to tie the game at 2-2.

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However, the collapse was just beginning when Little went out of control in a performance so disgusting that he will not soon be forgotten. He walked the next two batters, Jorge Polanco and Josh Naylor, and Schneider couldn't get rid of him fast enough.

But with runners on first and second, the next man out of the Blue Jays' beleaguered bullpen was Ceranthony Dominguez, who added fuel to the flames burning around his team. When Dominguez hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch, the bases were loaded and doom was in sight.

Eugenio Suarez took over and hit a hit that cleared the wall in right field, leading to the game and possibly changing the grand slam series. Suddenly, the Jays' 2-1 lead turned into a 6-2 Mariners lead as T-Mobile Park exploded.

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The Game 5 win gave the Mariners a decisive 3–2 lead in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series, moving them within one win of the franchise's first trip to the World Series.

Just as he's had to answer questions about previous playoff decisions, Schneider will be questioned (and rightfully so) about bringing in Little to combat such a dangerous part of the Mariners' order.

The bullpen, which has been a source of concern for much of the season, has once again become a hot spot, although why Schneider didn't go to Jeff Hoffman at that point will be up for debate, especially if the Jays can't rally at home.

The collapse spoiled a good start for right-hander Jay Kevin Gausman, who allowed just one run in 5.2 innings, and a game that fell to the fateful eighth. Yes, they left the bases loaded twice, but they still had the game in their hands.

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The Mariners, who had just five hits in the game, found a way to hit the jugular when the opposing coach set it up for them.

Now Jace's team, seemingly in control, faced their craziest elimination yet. Six outs from what might have seemed a decisive lead were erased in impressively damning fashion. And Blue Jays fans are wondering why? Why didn't the manager use his best hands when it mattered most?

Where was the best-on-the-best game and not the dubious fight that blew up in Schneider's face?

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