The Toronto Blue Jays roared back into the American League Championship Series with a commanding 13-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 3, fueled by a historic five-homer barrage. This dominant performance at T-Mobile Park not only cut Seattle’s series lead to 2-1 but also reignited the Blue Jays’ hopes of a stunning postseason comeback, proving their resilience against steep odds.
The Toronto Blue Jays delivered a resounding statement in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, crushing the Seattle Mariners 13-4 on Wednesday night. This offensive explosion, highlighted by a barrage of five home runs, not only secured their first win of the series but also cut Seattle’s lead to 2-1, injecting a vital dose of momentum into their postseason journey.
Heading into Seattle with a daunting 0-2 deficit, the Blue Jays faced long odds. Historically, teams that win the first two games of a best-of-seven series go on to win the series nearly 85 percent of the time, according to a report by CP24.com. However, Toronto’s 2025 season has been defined by resilience, leading MLB with 49 come-from-behind victories in the regular season, a testament to their fighting spirit.
The Homer Barrage: A Historic Offensive Outburst
The Blue Jays’ bats, largely quiet in the first two games, ignited dramatically in Game 3. Five different players connected for home runs: Andres Gimenez, George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk, and Addison Barger. This power display was particularly impressive as all five homers came within the first three pitches of an at-bat, showcasing an aggressive and effective approach.
The offensive onslaught helped the Blue Jays achieve a rare feat, joining the 2020 Tampa Bay Rays as the only teams to homer in four straight postseason innings, as reported by the Elias Sports Bureau. The Blue Jays scored five runs in the third inning, followed by additional runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth, ultimately accumulating 12 unanswered runs after an early 2-0 deficit.
Kirby’s Struggles and Toronto’s Opportunistic Hitting
Mariners’ starting pitcher George Kirby, who had been stellar, struggled with his command. He surrendered eight runs on eight hits in just over four innings. “I’m never going to stray away from what I do well, and that’s get ahead and be in the zone,” Kirby explained after the game. “And they had a lot of comfortable at-bats tonight.” His inability to execute when runners were on base proved costly against an aggressive Blue Jays lineup.
The Blue Jays’ hitting was described as “contagious” by Mariners reliever Caleb Ferguson. Key contributions came from across the lineup:
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was exceptional, going 4-for-4 with a home run and two doubles, driving in three runs. This marked a significant return to form after going 0-for-7 in the first two games.
- Andres Gimenez launched a two-run homer in the third inning that tied the game, noting he was “just trying to move the runner to third” but the ball flew out.
- George Springer also collected three hits, including a solo home run.
- Daulton Varsho added a two-run double in the critical five-run third inning.
Manager John Schneider commented on his team’s adjusted approach: “I said it when we left Toronto, I hope we find some slug in the air out here. Maybe we did. I’m really happy with the way we played today and the way we executed a game plan.”
Bieber’s Crucial Performance and Veteran Resilience
While the offense stole the show, Shane Bieber’s pitching performance was equally vital. Despite a shaky first inning where Julio Rodriguez hit a two-run homer for Seattle, Bieber settled down to pitch six innings, allowing only two runs on four hits while striking out eight. Schneider praised his veteran starter, highlighting the second inning where Bieber struck out the side as the “biggest inning of the game” for keeping Toronto in control.
Bieber, acquired at the trade deadline, needed a strong outing after a less-than-ideal performance in the ALDS. His ability to navigate early trouble and provide quality innings was a clear demonstration of the veteran leadership the Blue Jays needed to get back on track.
Fan Spirit: From Comeback Kings to Rally Shoes
The atmosphere at T-Mobile Park was electric, marking the first ALCS game hosted by the Mariners in 24 years. The Mariners’ faithful, known for their passionate support, even engaged in a quirky “shoe-on-head” ritual to rally their team when trailing. While some onlookers found it “gross,” others embraced the “next-level superstition energy,” acknowledging that Mariners fans have been doing the “rally shoe” for years, according to fan reactions captured by MLB.com.
On the other side, the Blue Jays exuded confidence despite the series deficit. Pitcher Chris Bassitt admitted that being down 2-0 “sucks” but expressed belief in the team’s ability to bounce back, stating, “We need to go out there and play our game.” Fellow pitcher Max Scherzer echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team’s track record of responding to adversity throughout the season. “Every game in the postseason is a must-win,” Scherzer noted, highlighting the high stakes for the team.
Looking Ahead: Game 4 and Max Scherzer on the Mound
With the series now 2-1, the Blue Jays have given themselves a fighting chance. They will send veteran ace Max Scherzer to the mound for Game 4, scheduled for Thursday night in Seattle. Scherzer, who was dealing with injuries and not on the ALDS roster, expressed his readiness: “This is what you play for. You want to have the ball in this situation.”
The Mariners, despite the Game 3 loss, still hold the series lead. Catcher Cal Raleigh affirmed their resolve: “We’re not finished, and I think we’ve done a good job of that so far this year… We want to try to finish this thing out here and take care of business that way. We’re not giving any kind of room to breathe.” Game 4 promises to be another intense battle as both teams vie for control of the series.
