The Toronto Blue Jays utilized a potent combination of strong offense and pitching to claim a crucial 8-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on Thursday evening, evening out the series at two wins apiece.
Josh Naylor of Canada put the Mariners on the board first with a solo homer in the second inning, giving Seattle a brief 1-0 lead. However, Toronto quickly turned the tide by scoring three runs in the third inning and adding two more in the fourth, surging to a 5-1 advantage by the midway point of the game.
In a repeat performance from the previous night, Andrés Giménez of the Blue Jays launched a two-run home run in the third inning. The Mariners managed to score one more run in the sixth inning, narrowing Toronto’s lead to 5-2, but the Blue Jays responded with additional runs, including a solo shot by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the seventh inning and two more runs in the eighth inning.
Veteran pitcher Max Scherzer, in his first playoff appearance with the Blue Jays, delivered a solid performance despite conceding an early home run. Scherzer struck out five Mariners before being relieved in the sixth inning. Blue Jays manager John Schneider commended Scherzer’s resilience and stated that he excelled as the game progressed.
Though Scherzer briefly faced a visit from Schneider in the fifth inning, the pitcher remained in the game, showcasing his determination to contribute to the team’s success. Schneider jokingly noted Scherzer’s intensity during their interaction. Scherzer later mentioned that he expressed his desire to stay in the game during their brief conversation.
Toronto’s bullpen, featuring Louis Varland, Jeff Hoffman, and Seranthony Domínguez, successfully closed out the game without allowing any additional runs from Seattle. The Blue Jays’ defensive efforts were also highlighted, particularly Addison Barger’s exceptional plays, including a crucial diving catch to end the seventh inning.
With this victory, the Blue Jays have leveled the series against the Mariners, who had previously won the first two games in Toronto. The upcoming Game 5 will be hosted at T-Mobile Park, with Toronto sending Kevin Gausman to the mound while Seattle will counter with Bryce Miller, the winning pitcher from Game 1.
The outcome of the ALCS will determine which team advances to the World Series to face the victor of the National League Championship Series. Toronto seeks its first World Series appearance in over thirty years, while Seattle aims to secure its first-ever trip to the Fall Classic.