Blue Jays' Cliff Pennington first position player to pitch in playoff game

Will Cliff Pennington be available out of the bullpen for the battered Blue Jays pitching staff for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series?

Toronto manager John Gibbons hopes he doesn't need him. With the Blue Jays getting routed 12-2 by the Kansas City Royals, Gibbons summoned Pennington to record the final out of the top of the ninth inning and Pennington became the first position player to pitch in a playoff game.

He allowed two hits and tossed seven pitches, retiring Ben Zobrist on a foul pop to mercifully end the inning. Kansas City won the game 14-2 and can win its second consecutive AL pennant in Game 5 Wednesday.

Pennington's fastball averaged 90.7 mph, a tick faster than both Game 4 starters. The Royals' Chris Young of the Royals averaged 87.9 mph on his fastball and R.A Dickey of the Blue Jays averaged 83.2 mph.