Blue Jays crush Mariners: Guerrero Jr. and Springer lead the beating

The Blue Jays Rise Again! Historic Thrashing in Seattle

SEATTLE – After a 2,100-mile flight from Toronto, the Blue Jays found the magic formula to ignite their bats. The Canadian team, after losing the first two games of the American League Championship Series at home, unleashed a demolishing offense at T-Mobile Park, Seattle, on Wednesday night. The result: a resounding 13-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners, which brings them back to the series and avoids an elimination game on Thursday. The Blue Jays’ batting coach, David Popkins, sent manager John Schneider a video of the 1996 World Series, where the New York Yankees lost the first two home games before winning the next four. The message was clear: the series isn’t over. The key to success was the offensive explosion, with five home runs and four doubles. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the team’s star, shone with a 4-4 performance, including a home run, two doubles, and a single. His hits reached impressive speeds: 108 mph, 106 mph, 105 mph, and 103 mph. “He’s one of the best hitters on the planet,” commented Addison Barger, teammate. “When he’s on fire, he’s scary.”

“I feel sorry for the pitchers,” Barger added.

Addison Barger

Guerrero Jr. also expressed his satisfaction with the triumph, highlighting the importance of the team above individual performances. The Blue Jays’ game plan was clear: to seek contact with the ball and hit it hard. In the third inning, they scored five runs, with home runs by Andres Gimenez and Daulton Varsho.

“If they give us the first pitch we’re looking for, we’ll attack and be aggressive,” Guerrero stated.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

George Springer, Guerrero Jr., and Alejandro Kirk’s home runs were the icing on the cake. Mariners fans in the stands scattered before the unstoppable offense of the Blue Jays. In total, the Blue Jays connected on 13 batted balls with a speed of 100 mph or more, and 11 of them became hits. Springer’s home run was the most outstanding, number 22 of his postseason career and number 40 in extra bases.

The Blue Jays attacked Mariners pitcher George Kirby early, especially with his fastball. The eight hits against Kirby came with 1-1 counts or earlier. “We have to be aggressive,” said Barger, who hit the team’s last home run in the ninth inning. “You can’t wait for results, you have to attack early.”

The pitcher Kirby, known for his control in the strike zone, recognized the Blue Jays’ strategy. “They have to be aggressive, I’m very comfortable at the plate. Maybe next time I’ll throw more inside.” The message from coach Popkins, which the players didn’t see but considered appropriate, recalled Joe Torre’s attitude in the 1996 World Series: “No panic”.

The Blue Jays’ offensive was a team effort: six players achieved multiple hits and at least one RBI, something that hadn’t happened in a playoff game since the Texas Rangers in the 2011 American League Championship Series. The five home runs tied the most for an American League team in a playoff game. The combined eight home runs tied the MLB record for a postseason game.

Meanwhile, Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber, after allowing a home run to Julio Rodriguez in the first inning, managed to recover and show why the team acquired him. Bieber changed his strategy, throwing mainly sliders, curveballs and cutters, and striking out 17 batters.

“That’s why you acquire a guy like Shane,” manager Schneider said. “He was making great pitches.”

John Schneider

For the Mariners, the dream of reaching the World Series at home now implies winning the next two games, or the series moves to Toronto, where the Blue Jays had the best home record in the regular season. “It’s just one game,” Rodriguez said. “They’re here for a reason too. That’s the motto of baseball. You have to keep going.”