Blue Jays Beat Mariners 6-2 in ALCS Game 6, Force Game 7

When Toronto Blue Jays rattled off a 6-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on October 19, 2025, the atmosphere at Rogers Centre turned electric. The victory in ALCS Game 6 forced a winner‑take‑all Game 7, meaning the next night’s showdown would decide who heads to the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fans in Toronto and across Canada breathed a sigh of relief — the Blue Jays had just escaped the brink of elimination.

How the Series Got to This Point

The American League Championship Series started with Seattle roaring to a 2‑0 lead, taking the first two games on the road in Toronto. Those early wins seemed to set a tone, but the Mariners soon hit a wall. At T‑Mobile Park they won just one of three contests, and under pressure they cracked, dropping the next three games.

Toronto’s resurgence began in Game 3, when a clutch two‑run double by Mitch Garver sparked a five‑run inning that shifted momentum. By the time Game 6 rolled around, the Blue Jays’ lower‑order hitters were primed to make a statement.

Game 6 Recap: The Lower‑Lineup Heroics

The first inning set the tone. After a leadoff single, Jackson Marshall – the Blue Jays’ light‑hitting outfielder – fouled a fastball down the third‑base line, but the ball ricocheted off the glove of Mariners’ third baseman Yenio Suarez. The error let Kyle Hershaw reach second, setting up what became a six‑run inning.

Sixth‑hole veteran Ernie Clement was the night’s undeniable catalyst. He had been batting a sizzling .429 in the postseason, and in the fourth inning he delivered a two‑run double that lifted the score to 5‑0. "We just kept telling each other ‘stay ready,’" Clement said in the post‑game interview. "When the chance came, we pounced."

Mariners’ defense crumbled further when a routine grounder bounced off Suarez’s glove for the fourth error of the series. That miscue alone cost Seattle an additional unearned run.

By the fifth inning, the Blue Jays had built a comfortable lead, thanks to a mix of contact hitting and aggressive baserunning. Their collective batting average against Seattle’s starter was .304, a stark contrast to the Mariners’ .220 against Toronto’s rotation.

Mariners’ Defensive Woes: A Tale of Too Many Errors

Seattle’s defensive struggles were the story of the series. Aside from Suarez’s three errors, shortstop Tyler Pike mishandled a pop‑up in the second inning of Game 5, and left‑fielder Luis Navarro dropped a fly ball in Game 4. In a postseason where margin for error is razor‑thin, those miscues added up.

"We’ve always prided ourselves on defense," Mariners manager Scott Servais admitted. "Tonight, the ball just didn’t bounce our way. We have to tighten up if we want a chance in Game 7."

Looking Ahead: Game 7 Preview

The stage is set for a classic finale. Both clubs have a veteran core, but the Blue Jays now carry the psychological edge of having survived a do‑or‑die situation. Their bullpen, anchored by closer Jordan Romano, has delivered three scoreless innings in the series, a factor Seattle must account for.

Seattle, on the other hand, still boasts a formidable starting rotation headlined by ace Logan Gilbert. If the Mariners can silence the Blue Jays’ potent lower order and cut down on errors, they could force a second straight road win for the first time in franchise history.

Analysts are also watching the matchup between Toronto’s left‑handed reliever Kevin Gausman and Seattle’s right‑handed swingman Luis Castillo. Gausman’s sinker has been dominant all postseason, while Castillo’s fastball‑slider combo could be the key to stifling Toronto’s hitters in the decisive game.

Key Facts

• Final score: Blue Jays 6, Mariners 2
• Date: October 19, 2025
• Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto
• Series standing: 3‑2 in favor of Toronto
• Mariners committed four errors in the series, three in Game 6

Historical Context: How This Series Compares

Only a handful of ALCS matchups have gone to a Game 7 in the past decade. The 2020 series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics went the distance, but the eventual champion was decided by a single home run. Toronto’s last ALCS appearance was in 2022, where they fell short in five games. Their resilience this year mirrors the 1992 team that came back from a 0‑2 deficit against the Oakland Athletics, ultimately winning the series and the World Series.

For Seattle, this is the first ALCS since 2021, when they fell to the Houston Astros in five games. The Mariners have historically struggled in road games during playoffs, posting a 5‑13 record in such situations over the past 30 years. A Game 7 win in Toronto would be a rare and historic feat.

What This Means for the World Series

Assuming the Blue Jays clinch Game 7, they will face a Dodgers club that dominated the National League, posting a 101‑61 record and sweeping the NLCS in three games. The Dodgers’ power‑hitters – notably Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman – will test Toronto’s bullpen to the limit. Conversely, a Seattle victory would set up a World Series pitting a West‑coast based Mariners against a West‑coast Dodgers – a rare all‑Pacific showdown that could spark a fresh rivalry.