Blue Jays' bats finally come alive as they crush Mariners in ALCS Game 3 win
The Blue Jays' bats were dormant for the first two games of the American League Championship Series, managing just four runs. But on Wednesday night, they ignited in Seattle, turning the series around with a dominant 13-4 victory.
The Blue Jays' offensive explosion saw them knock out Mariners starter George Kirby after just four innings. They now trail in the series, 2-1.
"No one expected us to win the division, no one expected us to be here, and I think the guys take that to heart," Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters. "I said it when we left Toronto: I hope we find some power in the air out here. Maybe we did."
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was a key figure, reaching base five times and going 4-for-4, falling just a triple short of a cycle.
The Mariners took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning with Julio Rodriguez's two-run homer. However, the Blue Jays responded with a five-run third inning, sparked by Ernie Clement's double and Andres Gimenez's two-run homer.
George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. each hit solo homers in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively.
Kirby struggled, failing to record an out in the fifth inning and ultimately being charged with the first eight runs of the game.
His performance on Wednesday was a stark contrast to his stellar start in Game 5 of the ALDS against the Tigers, where he allowed just one earned run over five innings.
The Blue Jays' bats had been quiet until Gimenez's blast on Wednesday, which helped them overcome an early 2-0 series deficit. With the series now 2-1, Game 3 was a crucial win for the Blue Jays, and their bats delivered.
On the mound, Shane Bieber recovered from a shaky start to pitch six innings, striking out eight. Max Scherzer is set to start Game 4 on Thursday against Luis Castillo.
"Obviously, he didn't start the way he would have wanted, but that's who he is," Springer said of Bieber. "He can battle back from anything."
