The Seattle Mariners<\/a> defeated the Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> 10-3 on Monday at Rogers Centre to win Game Two and take a 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series. The Mariners’ offense erupted with three-run home runs from Julio Rodr\u00edguez<\/a> and Jorge Polanco<\/a>, and a two-run blast from Josh Naylor<\/a>. The Blue Jays managed only six hits, with only one coming after the second inning.<\/p>\n The Mariners’ offense struck early. In the opening inning, Rodr\u00edguez smashed a three-run home run against rookie Trey Yesavage<\/a>, giving the Mariners a 3-0 lead. The Blue Jays responded in the bottom half, with Nathan Lukes<\/a> reaching on an infield single and moving to second on a throwing error by first baseman Naylor, also allowing George Springer<\/a> to score. Then Alejandro Kirk<\/a> produced an RBI single to cut the lead to 3-2. In the second, Lukes singled in another run, and Ernie Clement<\/a> scored to tie the game at 3-3.<\/p>\n The Mariners opened up the game in the top of the fifth inning. Polanco hit a three-run homer off Louis Varland<\/a> to make it 6-3. In the sixth inning, J.P. Crawford<\/a>‘s RBI single made it 7-3. Then, in the seventh, Naylor hit a two-run home run to right, and Crawford added a sacrifice fly to plate Eugenio Su\u00e1rez<\/a>, giving the Mariners a 10-3 lead. After that, the Mariners’ bullpen shut it down, and the Blue Jays’ offense fell silent.<\/p>\n The Mariners gained momentum quickly. Rodr\u00edguez’s first-inning home run set the tone, and Polanco added another big ball with the game still in reach. Naylor’s seventh-inning bomb gave them complete control. Throughout the game, the Mariners applied sustained pressure to Blue Jay pitching, forcing them to use their bullpen and create holes.<\/p>\n The Mariners didn’t rely on just one big inning. They scored in four separate innings, combining home runs, timely singles, and productive outs. Despite facing relievers, the lineup remained keen.<\/p>\n After the starters exited, Mariner relievers kept the Blue Jays at bay. The Blue Jays recorded one hit after the second inning. When the game was on the line, the bullpen came through to keep the lead. When asked about his bullpen in his pregame press conference, manager Dan Wilson<\/a> had faith, noting, “[Eduard] Bazardo<\/a> didn’t have to throw last night, other guys didn’t have to throw last night, so it kind of sets us up going forward here, too. As it turned out, on so many levels, that was a huge outing from Bryce and certainly with our bullpen and our other starters. It was huge.”<\/p>\n Trey Yesavage, a rookie, struggled to control the Mariners early on. He took the loss after allowing four hits and five runs over four innings, including Rodr\u00edguez’s three-run home run. Meanwhile, Logan Gilbert<\/a> of the Mariners cruised through the first four innings, holding Blue Jay hitters in check until the fifth.<\/p>\n The Blue Jays’ six hits were primarily frontloaded. After the second inning, they only managed one more hit. Key hitters like Vladimir Guerrero Jr.<\/a> went 0-for-3 with a walk to begin the series hitless. The Jays failed to capitalize when runners were in scoring position, leaving several players on base. Manager John Schneider<\/a> reflected, but remained optimistic on the Blue Jays’ lack of offense in his postgame press conference, “I want these guys to continue to feel like they’re on the attack… It’s what we’ve done the entire season. Hopefully the luck turns, and hopefully the slug shows up when we get there.”<\/p>\n Following early losses, the Blue Jays were unable to mount a comeback. Their offense stalled, and bullpen failures exacerbated the problem. Their failure to respond to Mariner breaks and timely hits cost them dearly.<\/p>\n With this victory, the Mariners lead the ALCS 2-0 and will return home needing two more wins to reach their first World Series.<\/p>\n Jorge Polanco already has multiple postseason home runs (including one here) and is a driving element in Seattle’s October surge.<\/p>\n This marks the Mariners’ first three-home-run game in the postseason since 2001.<\/p>\n Win: Eduard Bazardo \u2022 Loss: Trey Yesavage\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Game Three will take place on Wednesday night. The Mariners will start right-hander George Kirby<\/a>, while the Blue Jays will go with experienced righty Shane Bieber<\/a>. The first pitch is slated for 5:03 p.m. Pacific.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Main Photo:Mariners – Blue Jays Game Summary<\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Mariners<\/h3>\n
Explosive Offense<\/h4>\n
Balanced Attack<\/h4>\n
Effective Relief Work<\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Blue Jays<\/h3>\n
Starting Pitching<\/h4>\n
Offense Went Quiet After Early Flare<\/h4>\n
No Sustained Momentum<\/h4>\n
Quick Hits<\/h3>\n
Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>