Without Julio Rodriguez, Mariners can’t complete late comeback in loss to Blue Jays
SEATTLE – Less than 24 hours after being held relatively quiet besides a few random moments and the singing of “O Canada,” Toronto Blue Jays fans returned to T-Mobile Park in greater numbers and with greater intensity fueled by afternoon sunshine and, well, ice-cold refreshments. Making up easily more than half – closer to 2/3 – of the announced crowd 38,264, they had plenty to cheer about early on as the Blue Jays dominated for seven innings.
The Seattle Mariners quieted them briefly with a late rally, but couldn’t complete a late comeback or prevent a Toronto celebration, losing 5-4. Late homers from Mitch Haniger and Luke Raley provided all of Seattle’s offense. Star outfielder Julio Rodriguez was lifted from the game in the first inning for a still undisclosed reason. Inserted into the rotation in place of Bryan Woo, who is on the injured list with a mild hamstring strain, Emerson Hancock gave the Mariners a serviceable if not lengthy outing. The rookie right-hander pitched into the fifth inning, but didn’t record an out before being lifted. His final line: four innings pitched, two runs allowed on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts.
He needed 62 pitches to hold the Blue Jays scoreless over the first three innings despite allowing a baserunner in each of them. The Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead with two outs in the fourth inning. Daulton Varsho singled up the middle and came around to score from first when Alejandro Kirk jumped on a 2-0 sinker, sending a line drive over the head of Dominic Canzone in left field. Hancock was able to limit the damage to just one run, striking out Kevin Kiermaier to end the inning. Hancock started the fifth inning, but gave up an infield hit to George Springer on a swinging bunt and hit Spencer Horwitz with a pitch to end the Mariners starter’s outing.
Manager Scott Servais called on Collin Snider to work out of the situation with Vlad Guerrero Jr. coming to the plate. Snider got up 0-2 immediately and tried to put the Blue Jays slugger away with sliders off the plate. Guerrero watched the first one for a ball and then made an awkward lunging swing at another 1-2 slider that was almost in the other batter’s box. He got the barrel of the bat on the ball and it floated into center for a RBI single and a 2-0 Toronto lead.
