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Blue Jays' Pillar in lineup day after tongue-lashing from Gibbons

Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Kevin Pillar's stay in Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons' doghouse appears to have been short-lived.

The center fielder is batting second Monday night one day after being chastised by Gibbons after getting thrown out trying to steal third base, ending Sunday's sixth inning against the New York Yankees. Still, benching Pillar never crossed Gibbons' mind.

"I don't know if it would be smart to punish him. I didn't even think twice about (taking him out of the game or benching him)," Gibbons told Sportsnet's Mike Wilner.

Down by four runs with two outs, Pillar gambled and broke for third only to be thrown out, ending a possible rally. Gibbons was seen yelling at him in the dugout.

"Well, that play is unacceptable in rookie ball. That play is unacceptable in high school ball. That shouldn't happen. It can't happen. You're down. He knows it," Gibbons said, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. "It's tough to criticize Kevin because of the way he plays the game. He does everything right. He sacrifices his body and all of that. But every now and then we lock up mentally, I guess.

"He knows that. That's part of it."

The six-year veteran suggested after the game that he needs to exercise more patience on the basepaths.

"Live and learn. Made the mistake before. I'm out there trying to make something happen when sometimes I've just got to allow things to happen," Pillar said.

The Blue Jays went on to lose 10-2, completing a three-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees. They'll look to regroup as they return to Toronto for a six-game homestand against the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies.

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