Hot offence and strong pitching by the Blue Jays and sloppy defence by the Seattle Mariners propelled Toronto to a 6-2 win in Game 6 of American League Championship Series on Sunday, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7.
Fielding errors in the second inning by the visiting Mariners saw Toronto put runners on base for Addison Barger, who capitalized with a one-run single to open the scoring.
The Jays would push the lead to 5-0 thanks in part to homers by Barger and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Toronto Blue Jays’ Addison Barger connects for a two run home run off Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert during the third inning in Game 6 of the ALCS in Toronto Sunday. (David J. Phillip/The Associated Press)
Toronto was able to keep the Mariners scoreless through five innings thanks in part to rookie starting pitcher Trey Yesavage
He recorded seven strikeouts in just over six innings and had some help from the Jays’ stellar defence — they managed to pull off three consecutive inning-ending double plays, twice getting him out of bases-loaded jams.
Yesavage was replaced by reliever Louis Varland.
Trey Yesavage pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of Game 6 Sunday. He would go on to record seven strikeouts. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Seattle was able to cut into the lead with a two-run sixth — courtesy of a Josh Naylor solo homer and an RBI single from Randy Arozarena — but Toronto responded the very next inning thanks to more Mariners miscues.
Guerrero took an unorthodox trip around the bases in the seventh inning after he was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a single and came home after a dropped pitch and throwing error by Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh.
The Blue Jays were able to shut the door on the Mariners the rest of the way, with the bullpen striking out six more Seattle batters, tying up the back-and-forth ALCS at 3-3.
Game 7 will take place Monday at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. The winner of that game will advance to face the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
Toronto has not made it to the World Series since 1993 — when the Jays last won it all. Seattle has never advanced to the Fall Classic.
Fans hug after the Jays turn a double play to end the Mariners’ at bat in the third inning. It was one of three inning-ending double plays from the Jays Sunday night. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
