Why Blue Jays pulled Alejandro Kirk from World Series Game 3 for new catcher originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Toronto Blue Jays have relied so heavily on Alejandro Kirk, their All Star catcher.

That included in World Series Game 3, when he delivered a go-ahead, three-run homer early in the game.

But in the top of the 12th inning, the Blue Jays pulled Kirk. For however much longer the game would go, Kirk would be on the bench. Tyler Heineman would be in instead.

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Why did the Blue Jays pull Alejandro Kirk?

The Blue Jays pulled Kirk after he reached base in a 5-5 game in the top of the 12th to use a pinch-runner.

The only player they had left on their bench was the backup catcher Heineman, who is faster than Kirk.

So they took the risk that they’d miss Kirk in another trip through the order for the benefit of extra speed.

Shortly after that, Heineman beat a force out to third base with two outs to keep the inning alive on a play Kirk likely wouldn’t have gotten to in time.

Kirk is also a great defender, so that’s missing, too. But Heineman isn’t bad behind the plate.

It was a calculated risk by manager John Schneider with the World Series tied 1-1 and the game tied, too.

More World Series news:

• Daulton Varsho’s home run has craziest link to the 1993 Phillies catcher

• Buddy Kennedy will get a World Series ring no matter which team wins

• The Montreal Expos are back in the spotlight

• Ernie Clement got his baseball glove on eBay

• Blue Jays’ Davis Schneider is copying the batting stance of a Dodgers star

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett each scored 22 points and the Toronto Raptors won their fifth straight game, surging in the third quarter to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 121-112 on Wednesday night.

Jakob Poeltl scored 19 points, and Immanuel Quickley had 18 — hitting two 3-pointers in the final two minutes — to help the Raptors win for the ninth time in 10 games. Scottie Barnes added 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 24 points. VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes had 21 points each.

The 76ers led 56-53 at halftime behind 15 points from Maxey. Toronto took the lead with an 18-7 run to start the third quarter, powered by seven points from Ingram. The Raptors outscored the 76ers 44-28 in the period.

Toronto shot 2 for 15 from 3-point range in the first half, then went 5 for 6 from deep in the third quarter. Toronto is 7-3 on the road and 9-2 against Eastern Conference opposition.

Sixers center Joel Embiid (right knee injury management) missed a fourth straight game and his ninth out of 14 this season. Paul George, who made his season debut Monday, was held out as part of management of his left knee injury. The 76ers announced before the game that Kelly Oubre Jr. will miss at least two weeks with a sprained LCL in his left knee.

Raptors rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles missed the game because of right knee soreness.

Up next

Raptors: Host Washington on Friday night.

76ers: At Milwaukee on Thursday night.