Blue Jays Defeat Mariners 6-2, Set Up Game 7 Showdown

The Toronto Blue Jays secured a crucial 6-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on October 15, 2023, forcing a decisive Game 7 in the American League Championship Series (ALCS). The game, held at Rogers Centre in Toronto, showcased rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage, who delivered an impressive performance, going 5 2/3 innings and allowing two earned runs while striking out seven batters.

Seattle struggled to find their rhythm, committing a season-high three errors and grounding into three consecutive inning-ending double plays. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, expressed disappointment, stating, “We had opportunities… It’s just one of those days where we couldn’t get the big run home. Give them credit. They kept us off the board.”

The defeat marks a pivotal moment for the Mariners, who are vying for their first World Series appearance in franchise history. They will face the Blue Jays again in a Game 7 on October 16, 2023, with the winner earning a chance to compete against the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers starting on October 20.

Missed Opportunities for Seattle

In a game where they faced elimination, Seattle’s offensive struggles were evident. In the third inning, trailing 2-0, the Mariners loaded the bases with one out. Raleigh’s powerful hit, clocked at 100.5 mph, resulted in a double play initiated by Toronto’s first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. The Blue Jays became the first team in postseason history to induce consecutive bases-loaded, inning-ending double plays.

In the fourth inning, Seattle again found themselves with the bases loaded and one out. J.P. Crawford hit into another double play, this time executed by second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa and shortstop Andrés Giménez. “We put the ball in play,” Julio Rodríguez said after the game. “We just put it in the wrong place.”

Despite their offensive challenges, the Mariners still managed to generate some scoring opportunities. However, a lack of timely hits and defensive errors proved costly.

Defensive Struggles and Toronto’s Advantage

Toronto capitalized on Seattle’s mistakes, as Mariners players committed errors that allowed them to gain an early lead. In the second inning, a bobbled single by Rodríguez and a misplay by third baseman Eugenio Suárez contributed to the Blue Jays’ scoring. Daulton Varsho and Kiner-Falefa both recorded RBI singles, giving Toronto a 2-0 advantage.

As the game progressed, Toronto extended their lead to 4-0. In the seventh inning, Guerrero advanced to third on a wild pitch and later scored when Raleigh’s throw went awry, allowing the ball to skip into foul territory. “You’ve got to play clean baseball,” Raleigh acknowledged. “You can’t give up extra outs, especially to a team like that. That was part of the difference tonight.”

The Blue Jays’ pitcher, Yesavage, was drafted out of East Carolina University and joined the major leagues in September, showcasing his talent in this high-stakes matchup.

Looking ahead to Game 7, the Mariners will start George Kirby on the mound, while the Blue Jays will counter with Shane Bieber. Both teams are aware that the pressure is mounting, with a chance to advance to the World Series on the line.

As the players prepare for this critical game, Jorge Polanco of the Mariners remains optimistic despite his own struggles at the plate. “We never give up,” he stated. “We have another opportunity tomorrow.” With the series tied at three games each, all eyes will be on Toronto as they battle for the coveted spot in the World Series.