Game 4 ‘pen usage a balancing act for Tito

TORONTO — Bryan Shaw grabbed the bouncing baseball with his bare right hand, turned his head to find first base and felt he had plenty of time. Where the Indians reliever went wrong was regaining his balance, as evidenced by the ball that was soon bouncing into foul ground down the right-field line.

Throughout this American League Championship Series against the Blue Jays, and in the postseason as a whole, Cleveland had been fundamentally sound and powered by its bullpen. In a 5-1 loss in Game 4 on Tuesday, both elements escaped the Tribe and delayed the Indians’ opportunity to punch their ticket to the World Series for the first time in nearly two decades.

• ALCS Game 5: Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on TBS/Sportsnet/RDS

“I just rushed it,” said Shaw, whose back was against a wall outside the visitors’ clubhouse at Rogers Centre, as he explained what happened on his game-changing error in the seventh inning.

Game Date Time Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 14   CLE 2, TOR 0 Gm 2 Oct. 15   CLE 2, TOR 1 Gm 3 Oct. 17   CLE 4, TOR 2 Gm 4 Oct. 18   TOR 5, CLE 1 Gm 5 Oct. 19 4 p.m. CLE@ TOR TBS/SNET/RDS *Gm 6 Oct. 21 8 p.m. TOR @ CLE TBS/SNET/RDS *Gm 7 Oct. 22 TBD TOR @ CLE TBS/SNET/RDS * If necessary | All times listed ET • ALCS coverageShop for postseason gear: Blue Jays | Indians

The good news for the Indians is that it is still the Blue Jays who have their backs against the wall in this best-of-seven series.

The 2004 Red Sox, who were managed by current Indians manager Terry Francona, are the only team to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series. To eliminate the Tribe, Toronto needs to win four games in row. As it happens, Cleveland was the only team in the Majors this season not to have a four-game losing streak. This loss was the first for the Indians since Sept. 28, snapping a nine-game winning streak (six in the playoffs).

That is why the defeat — while certainly carrying some sting — was mostly met with shrugs inside Cleveland’s clubhouse.

“We’re one win away from the World Series,” Indians ace Corey Kluber said. “That’s what we’re focused on.”

Due to the unexpected bullpen game that developed in Game 3 on Monday night, Kluber started on three days’ rest on Tuesday. When Cleveland’s offense …

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