George Springer’s Game 7 home run sends Blue Jays into MLB World Series

The Toronto Blue Jays won the first Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series game since 1993 with a three-run home run by George Springer in the seventh inning.

The Blue Jays won Game 7 of the American League Championship Series with Springer’s 23rd career home run after the team’s 23rd career home run. In Game 1 of the World Series, Toronto will face Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In 1992 and 1993, Toronto made each of its previous two World Series appearances with the title. Only two franchises, the Blue Jays and the Marlins, have ever produced the Fall Classic more than once without ever losing.

The Mariners are one game away from winning their first World Series in franchise history with the home runs by Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh.

In total, the Blue Jays had six pitchers on the roster. Kevin Gausman (1-1) took over in the seventh inning after Seranthony Dominguez finished the game for Toronto. Gausman, who is typically a starter, intentionally walked Raleigh following a walk and a double play. Before Jorge Polanco grounded out, Joseph Naylor followed with a walk.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded a single to center after Bryan Woo led with a walk to Addison Barger. Second and third runners were sacrificed by Andrés Gimenez.

Springer, who hit his fourth home run of the postseason with a 1-0 sinker, faced Eduard Bazardo (1-1) in Woo’s place. In career playoff home runs, Springer finished second behind only Manny Ramirez (29) and Jose Altuve (27).

Chris Bassitt, a regular Toronto starter, pitched a perfect eighth. In the ninth inning, Jeff Hoffman made the save with a strike out of the left.

Rodriguez homered into the left field corner to start the game against Shane Bieber. An RBI single to right was grounded by Naylor with one out. When a runner jumped, his batting helmet made contact with a throw from second, completing a double play, and eventually Naylor was called out for the offender’s interference.

In the bottom of the inning, George Kirby gave Toronto an unearned run. Vladimir Guerrero Jr singled to left, Vladimir Guerrero Jr doubled, and Daulton Varsho (2-for-4) scooped an RBI ground single to center with a low slider.

Rodriguez opened the third with a 2-2 slider before homering his fourth homer of the postseason.

With two outs and a walk in the fourth inning, Louis Varland finished the inning by retiring Rodriguez with a groundout.

In three 2/3 innings, Bieber gave up just two runs, seven hits, and one walk.

Raleigh hit his fifth homer of the postseason right after Varland’s 0-1 changeup gave Seattle a 3-1 lead heading into the fifth period.

Before Woo took control for 2 1/3 frames, Kirby allowed one run, four hits, and three strikeouts in his four innings of relief.