Millennial Merritt puts the boots to veteran Bautista
Jays slugger's 'shaking in his boots' comment comes back to haunt him
Cleveland starting pitcher Ryan Merritt's boots remained steady in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Prior to Wednesday night's game, Jose Bautista challenged the 24-year-old rookie, saying "he's going to be shaking in his boots."
Bautista's comments quickly came back to haunt him as the rookie went 1-2-3 in the first inning against Bautista, Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion.
First round to Merritt:
<a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan">@JeffPassan</a> Here's that 69mph Curveball from Merritt to Jose Bautista for reference <a href="https://t.co/dcqGoec0WY">pic.twitter.com/dcqGoec0WY</a>
—@ThePitcherListWho's shaking in their boots now? Bautista grounds out to third. First round to Merritt. <a href="https://twitter.com/wkyc">@wkyc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Indians">@Indians</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RallyTogether?src=hash">#RallyTogether</a>
—@johnWKYCPretty calm first inning for Ryan Merritt. <br><br>Jays go 5-3, 4-3 and strikeout. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RallyTogether?src=hash">#RallyTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/PKs5ufGIIS">pic.twitter.com/PKs5ufGIIS</a>
—@IndiansNot a great way for Bautista, who turned 36 Wednesday, to spend a birthday.
Considerate as ever, the 24-year-old pitcher had a present in mind for Joey Bats: throwing mesmerizing stuff that didn't go over 90 mph.
Merritt proves you don't have to throw 90+ to be effective. Just have good stuff and hit your spots
—@STB_11There goes Ryan Merritt, dropping in 71-mph curves and freezing a couple more hitters on 86/87 pitches.
—@RyanLewisABJThe kid remained cool throughout the game and proved that Bautista's trash talk only fuelled his fire. Fans took every opportunity to make reference to Merritt and his unshaken boots.
Hats off to Merritt. The kid did his job. Bautista way to back up your BS talk. Now <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> let's light up their pen <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoJaysGo?src=hash">#GoJaysGo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OurMoment?src=hash">#OurMoment</a>
—@kdog_NLWhat a performance from Ryan Merritt. Jose Bautista looks like a fool once again.
—@NewYorker_94Update on Ryan Merritt's boots. <a href="https://t.co/G9KV5BTj74">pic.twitter.com/G9KV5BTj74</a>
—@NEOSportsInsideIf you haven't been following Cleveland's Twitter account throughout the ALCS, you've been missing out. It only took the team moments to capitalize on Bautista's comment:
Rogers Centre was shaking there, but Merritt induces a double play. 🐸☕️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RallyTogether?src=hash">#RallyTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/tEKqNcHqTl">pic.twitter.com/tEKqNcHqTl</a>
—@IndiansBautista was unable to connect on any of Merritt's pitches.
4.1 innings, two singles allowed. <br><br>Ryan Merritt=King in The North? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RallyTogether?src=hash">#RallyTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/GgSvAf7isD">pic.twitter.com/GgSvAf7isD</a>
—@IndiansMerritt's teammates put their best foot forward and stepped up to support their pitcher.
What a game by my boy Merritt! Easily should still be pitching though, lets do it pen!
—@AustinAdams49Shakin' in his boots <a href="https://t.co/jYr6W4N6Xt">pic.twitter.com/jYr6W4N6Xt</a>
—@CKluberHappy birthday! Headed to the World Series!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoTribe?src=hash">#LetsGoTribe</a> !!!! <a href="https://t.co/wIf35qt2zK">pic.twitter.com/wIf35qt2zK</a>
—@BauerOutageAnd with Cleveland's Game 5 win, Merritt's boots will now be walking all the way to the World Series.