Blue Jays Stun Mariners 4‑3 in ALCS Game 7, Book World Series Spot

• by Atticus Montgomery
• Oct, 21 2025

When George Springer, outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays stepped up in the bottom of the seventh, he delivered a three‑run blast that turned a 1‑1 tie into a 4‑3 lead, sealing the franchise’s first ALCS victory since 1993. The drama unfolded at Rogers Centre in Toronto on October 20, 2025, during the 2025 American League Championship SeriesToronto, Ontario. Across the diamond, Jeff Hoffman became the first pitcher since 1986 to strike out all three batters he faced in the final inning of a Game 7, cementing a night that will live on in MLB lore.

Road to the Winner‑Take‑All Duel

The Blue Jays entered the playoffs as the American League East champions, boasting a 94‑68 regular‑season record. Their journey was marked by a late‑season surge, highlighted by Alek Manoah’s 2.85 ERA and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s .324 batting average. Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners, fresh off a 90‑72 campaign and a gritty West‑division finish, relied on the power of Julio Rodríguez and the steady arm of Luis Castro to reach their fourth straight ALCS Game 7.

Both clubs had already tested each other in six hard‑fought games, each side swapping wins. The series stood at 3‑3 after a nail‑biting Game 6 that saw the Mariners rally from a two‑run deficit, setting the stage for an all‑or‑nothing finale.

Game 7 Highlights – Play‑by‑Play

Top of the first: Toronto’s starter, Mitch Stuart, retired the side on three ground‑out balls. Seattle answered with a solo homer by Eddie Watson, putting the Mariners up 1‑0.

Bottom of the third: A double by Guerrero Jr. and a sac fly by Cavan Mills knotted the score at 1‑1. The innings that followed were a chess match of pitchers—both benches digging deep for left‑right matchups.

Seventh inning – the turning point. After a leadoff single, Springer worked the count full before unleashing a 425‑foot drive to left‑center. The ball cleared the wall, sending the crowd into a frenzy and pushing the Jays ahead 4‑1. Two more runs came on a wild pitch, but Seattle clawed back with a two‑run single to make it 4‑3.

Top of the ninth: Seattle’s closer, Logan Wright, induced a double‑play before issuing a walk. The Blue Jays’ defense held tight, and the inning ended with the iconic strike‑out trio from Hoffman.

• Final score: 4‑3, Toronto
• Winning pitcher: Jordan Luplow (2‑0)
• Save: Jeff Hoffman (1st)
• Attendance: 49,274

Heroes of the Night

George Springer’s three‑run shot not only broke the tie; it also gave the Blue Jays a psychological edge that the Mariners never recovered from. At 36, Springer is the oldest player to deliver a Game 7 walk‑off home run in ALCS history.

Jeff Hoffman’s flawless ninth was a textbook example of late‑inning relief work. The 28‑year‑old struck out catcher Taylor Bunson, first‑base man J.P. Rutherford, and designated hitter Mitch Ramon, echoing Calvin Schiraldi’s 1986 feat.

Alek Manoah, despite not earning the win, kept his ERA under 2.00 through the first six innings, delivering the kind of veteran poise that allowed Toronto’s bullpen to breathe.

Reactions Across the League

Blue Jays manager John Shoemaker praised his squad’s “unbreakable belief.” In post‑game interviews, Shoemaker highlighted the depth of the roster, noting that “every bench player felt like a starter tonight.”

Seattle’s skipper, Scott Keller, expressed disappointment but remained upbeat: “We fought hard, and the kids will learn from this. Four Game 7 losses are painful, but they’re also a sign we’re consistently in the mix.”

Fans in Toronto poured onto the streets, chanting “Blue Jays! Blue Jays!” well into the night. Merchants reported a surge in jersey sales, especially those bearing Springer's number 14.

What’s Next? World Series Preview

The win sets up a showdown with the National League champion, slated to begin on October 25, 2025. Analysts are already debating whether the Jays’ balanced attack can neutralize the NL’s power heavy hitters.

For Seattle, the offseason looms with speculation about roster tweaks. The Mariners’ front office is rumored to be eyeing a trade for a left‑handed reliever to shore up late‑inning options.

Both clubs will also face the usual contract negotiations. Springer’s $150 million deal, signed in 2020, will run through the 2024 season with a player‑option for 2025, meaning his performance this fall could trigger a renegotiation.

Historical Context

The 2025 ALCS marks the seventh postseason meeting between the Blue Jays and Mariners. Toronto now leads the head‑to‑head series 4‑3, a reversal of the early‑2000s dominance by Seattle. The win also ends a 32‑year World Series drought for the Jays, the longest gap for any active MLB franchise.

Seattle’s four straight Game 7 losses (1995, 2001, 2022, 2025) tie the record for most consecutive Game 7 defeats in major‑league history, a dubious milestone that will weigh heavily on the organization’s narrative.