Mariners pull starter Bryce Miller at 56 pitches — and it quickly backfires

The Mariners gave starter Bryce Miller a short leash — and it blew up in their faces.

During Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Blue Jays, Seattle decided to take out Miller after he let a baserunner on to start the fifth inning.

Miller, however, had thrown just 56 pitches and had not given up a run during his four-plus innings of work Friday.

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Seattle put in Matt Brash to relieve Miller, and it ultimately backfired, with the righty reliever giving up an RBI double to Toronto outfielder George Springer, which tied the game at 1-1.

The following inning — this time with Seattle starter Bryan Woo entering in relief — the Mariners gave up another run, and the Blue Jays took a 2-1 lead.

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Miller made his last start for Seattle on Sunday, throwing 76 pitches in Game 1 against Toronto, meaning that the 27-year-old got four days of rest, which raises the question as to why the Mariners were so quick to pull him.

The right-hander got into a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning, but was able to escape it after Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Miller’s first start of the postseason in Game 4 of the ALDS saw him throw just 55 pitches while giving up two earned runs in 4⅓ innings.

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Throughout the postseason, Seattle has been quick to pull its starters, with the team controversially pulling George Kirby after just 66 pitches during Game 5 of the ALDS against the Tigers.

Similar to Friday, the Mariners bullpen initially blew their lead after Kirby exited the game, with lefty Gabe Speier giving up a two-run blast to Detroit outfielder Kerry Carpenter.

However, in that one, Seattle was able to best the Tigers after a 15-inning affair that sent them to the ALCS.