Blue Jays Force Game 7 in ALCS with 6-2 Win Over Mariners

Strategic Insights -

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his sixth home run of the postseason, powering the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday night, forcing a decisive Game 7 in the American League Championship Series. The Blue Jays turned three double plays behind rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage, including two that escaped bases-loaded jams, and took advantage of Seattle's season-high three errors to secure the victory.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Blue Jays became the first team to induce consecutive bases-loaded, inning-ending double plays in a postseason game, and only the fourth team to turn two in a single postseason game.
  • Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tied José Bautista and Joe Carter for the most home runs in Blue Jays history with his sixth postseason homer.
  • The Blue Jays broke a four-game postseason elimination streak, which included wild-card round losses to Tampa Bay in 2020, Seattle in 2022, and Minnesota in 2023.
  • Trey Yesavage threw a season-high 31 split-finger fastballs, inducing 10 whiffs and five more whiffs on sliders, to secure a 5 2/3-inning start.
  • The Marlins became the first team to force a Game 7 in the ALCS in franchise history.
  • Ernie Clement hit a two-out triple off the left-field wall in the third, and Addison Barger homered, driving in three runs for the Blue Jays.
  • The Blue Jays took advantage of fielding errors by Julio Rodríguez in center field and Eugenio Suárez at third base to score twice in the second.
  • The Blue Jays will start RHP Shane Bieber in Game 7, who allowed two runs and four hits over six innings in Game 3, a 13-4 win.

Statistics:

  • Guerrero's single-season home run record with 12 home runs marks a Blue Jays league-high.
  • The Blue Jays have made four errors in 10 playoff games, compared to Seattle's season-high three errors.
  • Yesavage struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings and induced five whiffs on splitters and five whiffs on sliders.
  • The Blue Jays have forced a Game 7 in the ALCS for the second time in franchise history.
  • The winner faces the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series beginning Friday.

Sources:

  • AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb