Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider doubled down on his costly decision to bring in left-hander Brendon Little in the eighth inning of Friday's 6-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners in Game 5 of the ALCS.
"I trust my players," Schneider told reporters Saturday. "In hindsight, I had a couple other options to do. That's what I decided to do. So, again, I have all the information that I need, and I don't think I made a mistake.
"Players have to go perform. There is always risk when you put a player in a situation that he won't get the job done. That's part of the game."
Little, who owns a 6.08 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over his last 21 appearances, surrendered a game-tying homer to Cal Raleigh before walking the next two batters. He was replaced by Seranthony Domínguez, who eventually allowed a game-winning grand slam to Eugenio Suárez, putting the Blue Jays on the brink of elimination.
"Every decision you make that doesn't work out, I regret," Schneider added. "No matter who it is. Whether it's a hitter, a pinch-hitter, a pitcher, a starting pitcher, it's part of the job. ... There's what-ifs always in this game. I think that you learn from 'em. You trust your people around you when you are making decisions. You make 'em, and you move on. That's where I'm at with it."
The series resumes with Game 6 on Sunday in Toronto. The ALCS winner will play the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
