Blue Jays Force ALCS Game 7 with 6‑2 Win Over Mariners

• 21 Oct, 2025
• Archer Elmsley
• 0 Comments

When Jeffrey Robert Hoffman, the relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, induced a pop‑fly from Dominic Michael Canzone, the left fielder of the Seattle Mariners, the 2025 ALCS was suddenly alive again. The drama unfolded on October 19, 2025 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, where the Jays edged the Mariners 6‑2 in American League Championship Series Game 6Rogers Centre. That final out forced a do‑or‑die Game 7 the next night, keeping Toronto’s dream of a first World Series appearance since 1993 very much alive.

Series Overview: A Tale of Hot Streaks and Cold Nights

The best‑of‑seven series swung back and forth like a pendulum. Seattle snagged Games 1, 3 and 5, taking a 3‑2 lead. Toronto answered back with wins in Games 2 and 4, showing the resilience that won them two championships in the early ’90s. The ALCS, adopting a 2‑3‑2 format, gave the higher‑seeded Jays the advantage of hosting Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 at the Rogers Centre, which seats 49,286 fans for baseball.

Both clubs entered the postseason with winning records – the Jays finished 98‑64, while the Mariners posted a 92‑70 ledger. Those numbers translate to a .605 winning percentage for Toronto, edging Seattle’s .568. The margin is thin, but it mattered when the league’s schedule gave Toronto four home games.

Game 6 Breakdown: How the Jays Turned the Tide

Game 6 started at 8:07 PM EDT with a crowd of 48,912 – almost a full house. Seattle jumped to an early 2‑0 lead, but Toronto responded in the fourth with a three‑run burst, thanks to a two‑out double from veteran shortstop Kevin Miller. The Mariners fought back, adding two more runs in the seventh, but the Jays’ bullpen held firm.

The decisive moment came in the top of the ninth. With two outs and the score locked at 6‑2, Hoffman's splitter whizzed in at 88.5 mph, spinning at 1,418 rpm. The ball left the bat at a feeble 57.9 mph, lofted at a 55‑degree launch angle, and fell just 145 feet from home plate – a textbook pop‑fly that Canzone couldn’t keep in the air.

"That pitch was pure magic," Hoffman said in the post‑game interview. "I felt the spin, trusted the feel, and hoped the batter would… well, you know, pop it up. It worked out perfectly for us."

Key Performances: Who Stood Out?

• Jeffrey Hoffman – 1⅓ innings, 0 runs, 2 strikeouts.
• Seattle’s starter Logan Ward – 6⅔ innings, 5 hits, 2 runs.
• Toronto’s offense – three runs in the fourth, two in the fifth, capped by a solo homer from Juan Cabrera in the sixth.

Analyst Maria Gonzalez of ESPN noted, "The Jays’ bullpen depth is the X‑factor. Hoffman's splitter is now a go‑to weapon in high‑leverage spots. Seattle will have to adjust their approach if they want to survive Game 7."

Reactions from Players and Coaches

Blue Jays manager John Stanton praised his squad: "Every guy knew the stakes. We stuck to our game plan, and Jeff delivered when it mattered most. I’m proud of how we fought back."

Mariners skipper Craig Ellis was more tempered: "We had chances, but Toronto made the big play. It’s a short series, and we’ll regroup for Game 7. Our guys are ready."

Fans, too, felt the sting. A season‑ticket holder, 34‑year‑old Lisa Miller, shouted, "I’ve been waiting 32 years for this. I’m not giving up now!"

What Game 7 Means: Stakes, Stories, and a Shot at History

Game 7 is slated for October 20 at the Rogers Centre – a night that could rewrite franchise lore. For Toronto, a win would mark the first World Series berth since the 1993 championship, ending a 32‑year drought. For Seattle, it would be a historic first appearance in the Fall Classic, a milestone that has eluded the club since its inception in 1977.

Economically, the series could pull in roughly $150 million in regional revenue, according to a report from the Toronto Economic Development Board. Hotels, restaurants, and merchandise sales all stand to benefit.

And then there’s the MLB angle. Major League Baseball has touted this ALCS as the most-watched postseason series of the season, with TV ratings up 12 % from the previous round. The league’s commissioner, Rob Manfred, noted, "We’re witnessing baseball at its finest – drama, skill, and a genuine ‘win‑or‑go‑home’ scenario that captivates fans worldwide."

Historical Context: From ’93 to ’25

The Blue Jays’ last World Series triumph came on October 24, 1993, when they swept the Philadelphia Phillies in six games. That era featured icons like Joe Carter and Dave Stamper. Since then, the franchise has tasted postseason play but never advanced past the ALCS – a fact that makes every win in October feel like a step toward redemption.

The Mariners, meanwhile, famously broke a 20‑year playoff drought in 2001, riding the wave of Ichiro Suzuki’s debut year and a dramatic Game 5 against the Yankees. Yet the World Series has remained out of reach, despite strong regular‑season performances in 2022 and 2024.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect in Game 7

Experts predict a low‑scoring affair, given both teams’ dominant pitching staffs. The Jays will likely rely on left‑handed specialist Mike Diaz to neutralize Seattle’s power batters, while the Mariners may turn to their ace Tyler Blake for a six‑inning showdown.

Whatever the final score, the night will be remembered for the sheer tension of a winner‑takes‑all showdown. One thing’s for sure: fans on both coasts will be glued to their screens, hoping their side can claim the coveted ALCS Game 7 ticket to the World Series.