10 photos of Toronto Blue Jays' historic ALCS Game 7 win against Seattle Mariners
Vladimir Guerrero Jr and the Toronto Blue Jays faught hard on Monday night to knock off the Seattle Mariners and advance to the World Series, sparking wild celebrations
The Toronto Blue Jays — led by a mammoth seventh-inning home run by George Springer — knocked off the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Monday night to advance to the World Series.
The Blue Jays entered the season with little fanfare. However, the team relied on a series of close victories and fortuitous seeing-eye singles to win their first pennant since 1993.
Toronto knocked off their division rivals, the New York Yankees, in the ALDS to set up a matchup with a Mariners franchise looking to reach their first World Series in club history.
Seattle took the first two games of the series on the road before dropping two of three at home. George Kirby started well on Monday, throwing four innings of one-run ball.
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The Mariners looked primed to win the game following solo blasts by stars Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh. However, overworked reliever Eduard Bazardo served up a three-run bomb to Springer, and Seattle's lead was gone.
The Martiners' bats went silent against the Blue Jays' bullpen, and the series was over. Games 1--6 weren't particularly close (aside from Game 5 through seven innings), but Game 7 served up an all-time classic. Here are 10 pictures summarizing the contest:
1 of 10 Pregame prayers
At the Rogers Center in downtown Toronto, the Blue Jays prepare for their franchise's most consequential game since 1993
(Image:Getty Images)2 of 10 Naylor nagging
Mariners 1B Josh Naylor knocked in the game's first run and took a ball to the shoulder two innings later to break up a surefire double play.
(Image:Getty Images)3 of 10 Dalton dancing
OF Dalton Varsho was a nuisance for Toronto all night. He tied the game at 1-1 with a clutch RBI single.
(Image:Getty Images)4 of 10 Julio jack
Star Seattle OF Julio Rodriguez put his team ahead 2-1 with a mammoth solo home run and celebrates with his dugout.
(Image:Getty Images)
5 of 10 Dumper doubles
Cal "The Big Dumper" Raleigh answered Rodriguez with a solo blast of his own — his 65th of the season — and celebrates with the team's trident. At this point, Seattle led 3-1.
(Image:Getty Images)6 of 10 Springer splash
The game flipped on its head when Toronto OF George Springer launched a go-ahead three-run home run in the seventh inning to put the Blue Jays up 4-3.
(Image:Getty Images)7 of 10 Hoffman
Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman — despite pitching multiple innings on Sunday — strikes out Rodriguez to send Toronto to the World Series.
8 of 10 Dejection
A dejected Rodriguez walks back to the Seattle dugout as Toronto players pour onto the field to celebrate.
(Image:Getty Images)9 of 10 Vlad's moment
Blue Jays All-Star 1B Vlad Guerrero Jr was named ALCS MVP after the win. He struggled in the series' first two games before turning it on.
(Image:Getty Images)10 of 10 Locker room lunatics
Guerrero leads furious celebrations in the Toronto clubhouse. The Blue Jays will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series
(Image:Getty Images)