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Instant Reaction: Blue Jays blow late lead in Game 5 of ALCS

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The Toronto Blue Jays were just six outs away from returning home with a 3-2 series lead, then it was gone.

On Friday evening, the Blue Jays fell 6-2 to the Seattle Mariners, pushing their backs against the wall. Let’s take a look at what went on in this game.

 

For the fourth consecutive game, the Mariners took the lead as Eugenio Suárez hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second. It took until the top of the fifth for the Jays to tie it, as George Springer hit a double to drive in Addison Barger.

In the top of the sixth, Alejandro Kirk hit a double. After Daulton Varsho flew out, Ernie Clement hit a 1-1 fastball into right field, bringing Kirk home from second to give the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead.

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With just six outs remaining, the worst inning in recent Blue Jays’ memories happened. For some reason, the Blue Jays turned to Brendon Little to flip Cal Raleigh, a 60 home run hitter. It went as you expected, tie game.

Little couldn’t get the last two outs and was pulled for Seranthony Domínguez. After Domínguez hit his first batter, he gave up a grand slam to Suárez, giving the Mariners a 6-2 lead they’d never relinquish.

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Takeaways…

There are a lot of negatives to take away from this game. In the top of the third, Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a lead-off double, bringing up Andrés Giménez. A lineout turned into a double play, leading to a 0 on the scoreboard.

Then in the fourth inning, Nathan Lukes led off the inning with a double, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was intentionally walked, and Alejandro Kirk was walked, loading the bases with no outs. Would you believe it if I told you the Jays were unable to score? Daulton Varsho struck out, and Ernie Clement hit into a weird double play.

After taking the lead, George Springer was hit in the knee with a 96 mph fastball. He left the game after trying to walk it off. Thankfully, it’s just a right knee contusion, and there’s a possibility he’ll be in the lineup come Sunday.

In the top of the eighth, Clement was robbed at the wall for a home run, which would’ve made it 3-1 to give the Jays a little bit of breathing room. Then came the bottom of the eighth.

Flipping Cal Raleigh and Jorge Polanco to the right side was never the right decision; it’s up there with leaving Zack Britton in the bullpen for bad bullpen decisions. Jeff Hoffman should’ve faced the top of the order; that’s why they went out and got him.

This game feels similar to Game 2 of the 2022 American League Wild Card Series. Up 8-1 in the bottom of the fifth, Whit Merrifield was hit with a pitch to the head and was taken out of the game. The Mariners immediately rallied and eventually won the game. That same type of momentum swing happened once Springer was out. Ironically, Kevin Gausman also started that game.

There was some good in this game, namely Gausman. He pitched five and two-thirds innings, striking out four and allowing one earned run. Louis Varland also had a strong outing, striking out two in an inning and a third.

The Jays registered seven hits, but five of them were doubles. They were 5-12 with runners in scoring position while leaving eight runners on.

What’s done is done; all the Blue Jays can do from here is turn the page. Game 6 is back in Toronto with a start time of 8:03 PM ET. Trey Yesavage will have the start for the Blue Jays, while the Mariners’ starter is yet to be determined.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.