Jays' Kiner-Falefa explains not scoring game-winner after receiving threats

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa provided some insight on why he was unable to score the game-winning run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning of Saturday's Game 7 loss.

Kiner-Falefa was thrown out at the plate by Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas, who had tied the game in the top half of the inning with a home run. Rojas briefly bobbled the ball before narrowly making the play.

"They told us to stay close to the base," Kiner-Falefa said, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.

"They don't want us to get doubled off in that situation with a hard line drive."

Kiner-Falefa was inches from scoring a run that would've given the Blue Jays their first World Series title in 32 years. The veteran infielder, pinch-running for the hobbled Bo Bichette, was criticized because of the short lead he took at third base before attempting to score.

"The lead is small. In that situation, you can't get doubled off. I got the best secondary I could from that spot and it didn't work out," Kiner-Falefa said.

The 30-year-old told Nicholson-Smith after the game that he was receiving hateful messages, including a threat to break his legs.

Addison Barger was memorably doubled off at second base after an aggressive lead on a low fly ball in Friday's Game 6 to give the Dodgers a series-tying win.