Mariners sweep Blue Jays behind wild comeback, move ahead of Toronto for Wild Card spot
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – In the series finale of their four-game set, the Seattle Mariners managed a wild comeback to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays. Carlos Santana, the hero of yesterday’s ballgame, had two homers including a two-run shot yet again to give Seattle a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The win puts Seattle into a tie with Toronto for the third Wild Card spot, but the Mariners are ahead of the Blue Jays. Seattle gets a day off before a road trip that will last them through the All-Star game.
Carlos Santana played the hero once again (Photo Birdzeyeviewvisuals)
Carlos the crusher
Veteran first baseman Carlos Santana made his presence felt yet again, repeating his performance from last night. On a day where Seattle had to keep up with Toronto’s offensive pace (something they didn’t have all series), Santana provided half of the Mariners runs with two homers. The first was a solo homer in the second inning to tie the game for the Mariners, responding to Toronto’s George Springer who also had hit a solo homer.
Santana’s second homer of the day was again a two-run go ahead blast to win the game. It was nearly identical, as JP Crawford was on base, and the ball was sent to right field. On an 0-2 count against Adam Cimber, the Seattle native that leads all relievers in wins this season, Santana hammered an off-speed pitch at the top of the zone. The towering shot gave Seattle a lead, and helped them sweep Toronto.
Young starter Logan Gilbert allowed four runs over six innings (Photo Birdzeyeviewvisuals)
Gilbert okay in outing
Sophomore starter Logan Gilbert had an okay but not great start that we have seen earlier in the year. Gilbert went for six innings, allowing four earned runs on nine hits. Gilbert has been great this year for the Mariners, keeping them in games and helping lead the Seattle rotations charge with Robbie Ray.
Toronto got after Gilbert early, as George Springer blasted a solo shot on the first pitch of the game. Raimel Tapia hit a solo shot to left in the fourth inning, and a Bo Bichette single would score two runners in the top of the fifth. Four runs for Gilbert is one of the worse days he’s had, but I wouldn’t count on Gilbert having many more outings like this.
Toronto’s George Springer hit solo homers in back to back games (Photo Birdzeyeviewvisuals)
Historic sweep
The four-game sweep of the Blue Jays is the first time that feat has happened ever in the Mariners franchise history. Since 1977 when both teams came into the league as expansion teams, Seattle has never swept the Blue Jays. It is relatively well known how Toronto series in Seattle are, where essentially all of Canada shows up for the series. For most of them, it is the only chance that they will see their team in person since some are much closer to Seattle than Toronto.
This series win for the Mariners is huge, and it is even bigger considering that Seattle now overtakes the Blue Jays for the third wildcard spot in the American League. Beating teams in playoff spots that you are actively pursuing such as Toronto, is huge. Winning series is objective number one, but playing the teams in spots ahead of you and beating them is helpful too.
First baseman Ty France was snubbed from the All-Star team (Photo Birdzeyeviewvisuals)
Quick notes
Mariners CF Julio Rodriguez was named to the All-Star game during the game
Julio Rodriguez joins Alex Rodriguez (Two times, 1996 and 1997) and Ken Griffey Jr (Two times, 1990 and 1991) as the only Mariners players to be selected as an All-Star in their age 21 season or younger
The Mariners have won their sixth consecutive series within a season for the first time since 2016.
There are only five athletes in the big four sports (Basketball, baseball, football, hockey) over the last 20 years have won an Olympic medal and made an All-Star team by age 21
LeBron James
Anthony Davis
Patrick Kane
Jonathan Toews
Mariners CF Julio Rodriguez
What’s next?
Monday, July 11th is a day off for the Mariners, but after that they start a six-game road trip. Two games in Washington against the Nationals being on Tuesday the July 12th with a first pitch time of 4:05PM PST. Chris Flexen will be on the mound for the Mariners, as he will duel Nationals starter Josiah Gray. The Mariners look to continue their positive momentum against a team that is 28 games below .500 (Washington), and the team below them in the AL West, the Texas Rangers.