Blue Jays left to reflect after Game 2 collapse ends brief playoff appearance
As far as gut-punch playoff losses go, this one hurt more than most for the Toronto Blue Jays.
With a seven-run lead and support from a boisterous sellout crowd, a Game 2 victory seemed like a virtual lock in their wild-card series against Seattle.
The Mariners had other plans. They completed an improbable comeback with a pair of four-run innings before taking the lead in the ninth for a stunning 10-9 win.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Instead of planning for a decisive Game 3 on Sunday at Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays were left to ruminate on a crushing defeat that ended their post-season.
"We fought and we battled," said Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano. "It just wasn't good enough."
Two key moments stood out in Saturday's collapse.
Tim Mayza relieved starter Kevin Gausman in the sixth inning and gave up a three-run homer to Carlos Santana.
A couple innings later, J.P. Crawford lifted a blooper off Romano into shallow centre field. Toronto outfielder George Springer and shortstop Bo Bichette collided on the play and three runs came across.
Springer was taken off the field on a golf cart while Bichette stayed in the game. Manager John Schneider said Springer was "doing OK" but didn't provide injury specifics.
Toronto Blue Jays centre fielder George Springer (4) leaves the field on a cart after being injured against the Seattle Mariners during eighth inning American League wild card MLB postseason baseball action in Toronto on Saturday, October 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Toronto was swept from the wild-card round for the second time in three years.
"It stinks now but it's only going to make us better and stronger," said catcher Danny Jansen. "We're going to get to where we want to be."
The Blue Jays won 92 games over the regular season and seemed to be peaking for the playoffs.
Toronto went 22-11 down the stretch to clinch the top wild-card seed and home-field advantage in the first round.
The Blue Jays could only tip their cap to hot starter Luis Castillo in a 4-0 shutout loss in Friday's Game 1. The Jays' bats came alive in Game 2, but the Mariners answered as the Toronto bullpen hiccupped.
Seattle became the third team in MLB history to come back from a seven-run deficit to win a post-season game. The Blue Jays could only attempt to find positive takeaways.
"We learned how to navigate a full season and how to play meaningful games in September and finish them out," said Toronto third baseman Matt Chapman. "There's a lot of things that we can be proud of.
"I hope that we all use this as motivation to continue to get better."
The Blue Jays were a pre-season favourite to go to the World Series. A middling first half cost Charlie Montoyo his job as manager and Schneider replaced him on an interim basis.
A young core of ace Alek Manoah, who took the Game 1 loss, Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and others gained important playoff reps in a losing effort.
But more will be expected in 2023 and beyond for a team built to win now.
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jordan Romano (68) looks on during ninth inning American League wild card MLB postseason baseball action against the Seattle Mariners in Toronto on Saturday, October 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
General manager Ross Atkins tinkered at the trade deadline but didn't push all in. The Mariners went big by giving up some top prospects to land Castillo from the Cincinnati Reds and the move paid off.
The Blue Jays have most of their core players under contract. Ross Stripling, who emerged as a reliable starter after Hyun-Jin Ryu's season-ending injury, is a notable free agent.
Atkins also has a decision to make on Schneider, who put his stamp on the team after his promotion from bench coach. He delivered strong results in the second half before coming up short on the playoff stage.
"My message going forward into the off-season is as much as it sucks right now, it will make that group better," Schneider said.
Next up for Seattle is a best-of-five American League Division Series against the top-seeded Houston Astros starting Tuesday.
Since winning the ALDS in 2016, the Blue Jays have lost eight of nine playoff games.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bloc leader says ultimatum stands after Liberals vote against motion seeking boost to seniors' benefits
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet says his ultimatum to the government stands, after the Liberals voted against a motion seeking money to boost seniors' benefits on Wednesday.
DEVELOPING Israel battles militants on two fronts and reports 8 combat deaths as fears of a wider war mount
Israel's ground incursion into Lebanon to battle Hezbollah militants left eight Israeli soldiers dead Wednesday, while the region braced for further escalation as Israel vowed to retaliate for Iran's ballistic missile attack a day earlier.
Trump 'resorted to crimes' after losing 2020 U.S. election, prosecutors say
Donald Trump 'resorted to crimes' after losing the 2020 election, federal prosecutors said in a court filing unsealed Wednesday.
BREAKING Toronto police officer rushed to hospital after being shot
Toronto police say an officer has been shot while conducting an investigation midtown.
Northern Ont. trial begins with shocking details about murder scene
The jury at the trial of a second-degree murder suspect in Sudbury on Wednesday heard graphic details of the crime scene discovered in a Kathleen Street apartment on Boxing Day 2020.
Canada's October temperatures set to teeter-totter due to record-breaking U.S. heat
Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north
Canadian figure skater suspended at least 6 years for 'sexual maltreatment'
Canadian figure skater Nikolaj Sorensen has been suspended for at least six years for 'sexual maltreatment,' the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner announced Wednesday.
U.S. airline safety board raises alarm over foreign carriers that may have Boeing 737 rudder issue
At least forty foreign air carriers could be flying Boeing 737 jets with a rudder control system that has the potential to jam, according to the Chair of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
Driver spotted going 234 km/h on Hwy. 174 in Ottawa's east end
A 27-year-old man is facing several charges after police observed a vehicle travelling 134 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 174 in Ottawa's east end.