The Toronto Blue Jays have forced a Game 7 after beating the Seattle Mariners 6-2 Sunday night. Monday night’s matchup will be only the second time in franchise history that Toronto has played in a series that’s gone the distance. The last time the Jays played in a Game 7 was in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Kansas City Royals in 1985. Toronto blew a 3-1 series lead and fell to the Royals four games to three in that series. The circumstances this time around are much different, with Toronto clawing back from a two-game deficit, and winning two of three games on the road before last night’s win-or-go home victory. The Mariners, meanwhile, have never played in a Game 7 and are the only team in the MLB to have never gone to the World Series. Here’s how some U.S. media are reacting to the Jays win: Trey Yesavage sings ‘O Canada’ Pitcher Trey Yesavage had another standout performance in Game 6, striking out seven Mariners and setting up three double plays in consecutive innings. MLB on Fox host Matt Vasgersian spoke with Yesavage after the game and asked the rookie, who was born in the U.S., what the “most Canadian thing” he’s done since becoming an “honourary” Canadian in the post-season. “Probably memorize the Canadian national anthem,” Yesavage says with a smile. Co-panelist and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter then asks the 22-year-old to “sing it for us,” to which Yesavage complies without skipping a beat. Yesavage is only able to belt out the first two words of the anthem, before he’s cut off by the panel, who seemed genuinely surprised by his confidence. Boston Red Sox great David Ortiz then jumps in with his rendition, before admitting that he “forgot the rest of the words.” Seattle fans feeling ‘familiar fatalistic rage’ Ryan Divish, Seattle Times staff reporter, writes: “The earned optimism from fans following their dramatic success just two days earlier, quickly devolved into a familiar fatalistic rage” following the Game 6 result. According to Divish, the Mariners’ “winning magic,” which was on full display in games 1, 2, and 5, was replaced by “costly mistakes” Sunday night. “In what was the most important game in franchise history to date, the Mariners received a suboptimal start from Logan Gilbert, committed three errors in the field – something they hadn’t done all season – leading to two unearned runs, got carved up by a rookie pitcher making his sixth MLB start, twice hit into inning-ending double plays with the bases loaded, while also making missteps on the basepaths," he wrote. “Or as Cal Raleigh deftly surmised: ‘It’s not what you want.’” Guerrero Jr. has ‘41 million Canadians on his shoulder’: A-Rod The MLB on Fox crew congratulated Vladimir Guerrero Jr. following the Game 6 win, both on his defensive and offensive efforts. “He’s hitting .462 these playoffs, he’s got three times more home runs than he does strikeouts, he’s only got two strikeouts. He’s the epitome. He’s actually showing you the complete package,” Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez said. Guerrero Jr. hit a solo home run in Game 6 and cashed in on a wild pitch and throwing error by the Mariners late in the game. He’s now tied with Jose Bautista and Joe Carter for most home runs in the post-season (six). But more importantly, he was key to the Jays’ defence in turning three consecutive inning-ending double plays, including two instances where the bases were loaded. “He has 41 million Canadians on his shoulder. He’s ready to play.” ‘They’re tough at bats’ The MLB Network panel broke down the Jays’ offence in Game 6, noting that almost all of Toronto’s nine batters had either a hit, RBI or run scored last night. “Top to bottom, you know, (Daulton) Varsho, (Ernie) Clement, and (Addison) Barger and (Isiah Kiner-Falefa) Izzy putting the ball in play. They’re tough at bats,” said former major leaguer Sean Casey. “They put the ball in play. They make you work,” Casey said. Former pitcher Alex Avila agreed, saying that the Jays’ lineup is not “easy.” “Because there’s slug in there, too. You have Vladdy, who’s been on fire, Ernie Clement had a double and a triple today, right. He’s been on fire, one of the best hitters in the post-season not named Vladimir Guerrero Jr. And (George) Springer does what he does, as far as igniting and being the straw that stirs the drink for them. Just an incredible performance all the way through,” he said.
