A universal ground rule came into play at the start of the top of the sixth inning with the Blue Jays batting against Royals starter Yordano Ventura in Game 2 of the ALCS. Josh Donaldson hit a foul pop-up behind the plate. The ball clipped a wire supporting the netting behind home plate, but catcher Salvador Perez still managed to make a nifty barehanded catch. As is the ground rule at every stadium, however, the ball was ruled dead and Donaldson remained alive. He beat out a ground ball to shortstop Alcides Escobar for a leadoff infield single.
Ventura then walked Jose Bautista before Edwin Encarnacion snuck a ground ball past Escobar into left field, plating a sliding Donaldson to extend the Jays’ lead to 2-0. Chris Colabello struck out, revealing light at the end of the tunnel for the Royals. Troy Tulowitzki had other ideas, sending an RBI double to right field to make it 3-0. Ventura walked Russell Martin to load the bases before departing.
Luke Hochevar took the hill in place of Ventura. He induced an infield pop-up from Kevin Pillar, then got Ryan Goins to hit an inning-ending 3-1 ground out to the right side. The Royals still have four turns to make up the three-run deficit. However, Jays starter David Price has been nearly untouchable. He has retired every batter since Alcides Escobar singled to lead off the game. The lefty has four strikeouts in five innings, having thrown 52 pitches.