MLB
The Blue Jays and Mariners series was very fun to watch. Whether you’re a Jays fan, a Mariners fan, or both, there was a little something for everyone. The series is over for another year and I’m back to waiting for next season to see my Mariners again, but this series certainly didn’t disappoint. There were a lot of really cool things that happened.
Game 1
In case you missed it, game 1 of this series was a no-hitter for Seattle. It was beautiful. This was just one way in which the Blue Jays and Mariners series was very fun to watch. No-hitters are always great. Seattle scored 5 runs, but no one watching was very interested in that. Everyone just kept wanting Toronto to come back to bat so Paxton could continue.
I always get so stressed during no-hit bids and this one was no different. It might actually have been worse because I was there. Also, the Jays got several almost-hits that it looked like the Mariners wouldn’t be able to field. In the end, even the Blue Jays’ twitter account couldn’t break up the no-hitter and James Paxton became the first Canadian since 1945 to throw one. It was fitting that he did it on Canadian soil.
Game 2
Game 2 was a much better game for Blue Jays fans. The Mariners took an early lead on a couple Blue Jays mistakes, but the Jays bounced back. Dee Gordon got to first after striking out on a wild pitch and Jean Segura brought him home in the next at bat. In the third, Jean Segura should’ve been out at first, but ended up at second on a throwing error by Jaime García and scored on the Mitch Haniger ground-rule double. García seemed to struggle all evening and was eventually taken out after 5 innings.
In the sixth, things got a little weird. Teoscar Hernandez hit a ball down the right field line. When Mitch Haniger ran over to get it, a fan interfered and took the ball. This should have been a ground-rule double, which it was, eventually. Originally, the umpire granted Hernandez third base. The Mariners challenged and the call was overturned. As a fan of baseball, I have to say I was personally offended by the original call. This is baseball! We have rules! In the end, the rules prevailed.
In the eighth, things got really fun for Jays fans. Toronto went a little doubles-happy off relief pitcher Juan Nicasio. Donaldson, Solarte, Smoak and Martin all doubled. Pillar got an RBI single, but was out at second trying to stretch it into a double. Then, Maile singled home Martin and advanced to second when the left fielder threw the ball home to try and get Martin out. That was enough. The Jays won 5-2, improving their record to 16-0 in games where they score five or more runs. On Wednesday, the Blue Jays and Mariners series was very fun for Blue Jays fans.
Game 3
Game 3 was rough for Jays fans from the very beginning. J.A. Happ gave up two singles to Jean Segura and Robinson Cano, before he walked Ryon Healy to load the bases. Kyle Seager then hit the Mariners’ first grand slam of the season to give them a 4-0 lead. Happ then gave up another single and a walk, before managing to get out of the inning without anymore damage. In the bottom of the second, Russell Martin hit a 2-run homer, bringing home Kevin Pillar, but that was the only run Mariners starter Mike Leake gave up in the game. The Jays threatened a few more times, scoring once more in the eighth off reliever Chasen Bradford, but fell short once again. The Mariners scored runs in 6 innings, including solo shots from Ryon Healy, Kyle Seager and Mike Zunino.
The Blue Jays and Mariners series was very fun to watch, but it’s over. So, looking ahead, the Blue Jays host the Red Sox starting tonight for a weekend series. The Sox are hungry for wins after losing the series to the Yankees. The two teams are now tied for first in the AL East. The Jays will need to step up and be better than they have been recently if they hope to avoid a sweep, let alone a series loss.
Written by Susannah Schmidt
Follow us on Twitter @T101Sports and @T101SportsMLB
Follow me on Twitter @SusannahElyse
