ALCS: Blue Jays Use Second, Third Inning to Force Game Seven with Mariners

Trey Yesavage of the Blue Jays celebrating against the Mariners in Game 6 of the 2025 ALCS
Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Blue Jays 6, Mariners 2

The Toronto Blue Jays scored four of their six runs in the first three innings, jumping on the Seattle Mariners early and winning, 6-2, Sunday night to force a decisive ALCS Game Seven.

Barger, Kiner-Falefa Give Jays Early Lead

After Daulton Varsho and Ernie Clement both reached base safely in the second, Addison Barger drove home the first of his three runners in the game with a single to right. Isiah Kiner-Falefa followed suit, putting the Blue Jays up 2–0.

Raleigh Falters Golden Opportunity

With the bases loaded and one out, Cal Raleigh approached the plate in prime position to cut into the Blue Jays lead. However, Raleigh grounded into an inning-ending double play, keeping the game at 2–0.

Barger Doubles Blue Jays’ Lead

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With two outs in the bottom of the third, Addison Barger officially put his stamp on the game. With a runner on third, Barger took Logan Gilbert’s slider over the right-field wall, extending the Blue Jays lead to 4-0.

Mariners Fail to Score Again

For the second straight inning, the Mariners found themselves with the bases loaded and one out. Again, the Mariners grounded into an inning-ending double play, this one courtesy of J.P. Crawford.

Guerrero Joins Elite Company

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In the bottom of the fifth, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a solo home run to make the score 5–0. This was his sixth of the 2025 playoffs, tying the franchise record for most home runs in a single postseason.

Naylor, Suarez Cut Into Lead

Already hitting .325 in the playoffs, Josh Naylor stayed hot in the sixth inning of Game Six. To break the Mariners out of their scoreless rut, Naylor hit a towering home run into the right-field seats to make it a 5–1 game. Two batters later, Eugenio Suarez drove in Randy Arozarena with an RBI single.

Blue Jays Score Insurance Run

In the bottom of the seventh, Guerrero reached first base after getting hit by a pitch. Alejandro Kirk singled to center, advancing Guerrero to second. As Guerrero made his way to third base, Cal Raleigh attempted to throw him out. However, the throw sailed past Eugenio Suarez, allowing Guerrero to make it home.

What Went Right For Blue Jays

One game after their bullpen imploded, the Blue Jays’ relief corps held their own in Game Six. Louis Varland and Jeff Hoffman combined for over three scoreless innings while allowing a single hit.

What Went Wrong For Blue Jays

The Mariners failed to score on two different bases-loaded opportunities, but the Blue Jays cannot depend on them doing that the rest of the way. In a do-or-die game Monday night, the Mariners will strive to not let that happen again.

What Went Right For Mariners

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The Mariners’ trade deadline acquisitions showed up again on Sunday. Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez accounted for both of their runs in Game Six, with the latter of the two having six RBIs over his past two games.

What Went Wrong For Mariners

Outside of Bryce Miller, the Mariners’ starting pitching has been shaky in the ALCS. Game Six was no different, as Logan Gilbert allowed four earned runs in four innings.

In addition to their starting pitching, the Mariners played a sloppy game Sunday. The Mariners became the first team with three errors and three GIDP in a playoff game since the New York Yankees in 2009.

Manager Reactions

In his postgame press conference, Mariners manager Dan Wilson credited Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage with finding a way to limit the Mariners’ offense.

“Give a little credit to Yesavage,” said Wilson. “The secondaries that he had tonight were good.”

Despite a commanding win Sunday night, Blue Jays manager John Schneider knows his team hasn’t reached the peak just yet.

“We’ll enjoy it for another 30 minutes,” said Schneider. “You’ve got to be ready to go tomorrow.”

Next Matchup

The Blue Jays and Mariners will meet back at Rogers Centre Monday for Game Seven of the ALCS. Shane Bieber will start for the Blue Jays, while George Kirby will take the ball for the Mariners. The first pitch of Monday’s game is scheduled for 8:08 pm Eastern/5:08 pm Pacific.

 

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Peyton Youse

Peyton Youse

Thanks to his Long Island born mother, Peyton is a diehard New York Yankees fan. Despite their lack of recent success, he deems it a privilege to be a fan of the 27-time champions. Peyton is currently a junior at High Point University, pursuing a sports media degree with a minor in journalism.

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