St. John’s baseball: Joe Panik eliminated from MLB Playoffs after sweep
Former St. John’s baseball standout Joe Panik was eliminated from the 2020 MLB Postseason.
It wasn’t a great Wednesday for former St. John’s players in the 2020 Major League Baseball Postseason.
The day started with Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Cody Stashak giving up the go-ahead home run to Carlos Correa of the Houston Astros in Game 2 of an elimination game, Amir Garrett of the Cincinnati Reds allowed a walk-off single to Atlanta Braves star Freddie Freeman in the 13th inning of a scoreless game, and then it ended with Joe Panik and the Toronto Blue Jays getting blown out of its elimination game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Panik started at second base in Game 2 after coming off the bench in Game 1 but the former Red Storm standout ended his season with a 1-for-6 series, going 1-for-4 in the 8-2 loss on Wednesday afternoon.
In his first at-bat in the second inning, Panik grounded out to first base with runners on first and third and the Blue Jays only down 1-0 to end the potential threat.
Joe Panik’s next at-bat didn’t come until the fourth inning when Toronto found themselves down 8-1 and the second baseman grounded out to first base once again.
The former World Series Champion’s lone hit of the game was a single to right field leading off the seventh inning but he was unable to advance as the next three Toronto hitters were retired in order.
ALSO READ: Amir Garrett surrenders walk-off against Braves
However, for the second straight game Panik ended the game, making the final out of the Toronto Blue Jays season with a groundout to second base in the ninth inning with no body on base.
Despite ending the season on a low note, Joe Panik has a lot to look forward to as he will be an unrestricted free agent upon the end of the postseason after his one year with the Blue Jays.
ALSO READ: Cody Stashak gives up go-ahead home run vs. Astros
The Tampa Bay Rays will advance to face either the New York Yankees or Cleveland Indians in the American League Division Series at Petco Park in San Diego, California.