Mariners Miss World Series After Heartbreaking Game 7 Loss

UPDATE: In a devastating turn of events, the Seattle Mariners fell short of their World Series dreams, losing 4-3 to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on October 16, 2023. With just eight outs remaining, the Mariners watched their hopes slip away in a heartbreaking finale.

The Mariners, celebrating their first AL West title since 2001, entered the postseason with high expectations. However, those aspirations ended abruptly when Eduard Bazardo allowed a critical three-run homer to George Springer in the seventh inning.

“I hate to use the word failure, but it’s a failure,” said Mariners star Cal Raleigh, reflecting the sentiment across the team. “What we expected was to get to the World Series and win a World Series.”

After starting the series with a 3-2 lead, Seattle needed just one victory to secure a spot in the World Series, a milestone they have never achieved. The Mariners took an early lead in Game 7, with Julio Rodríguez doubling to start the game, scoring on Josh Naylor‘s single. Rodríguez also delivered a powerful third-inning homer, marking his fourth of the postseason, putting the Mariners ahead 2-1. Raleigh’s fifth postseason home run extended the lead to 3-1 in the fifth inning.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the seventh. With Bazardo on the mound, the Blue Jays capitalized on a series of hits, leading to Springer’s pivotal homer. Despite manager Dan Wilson expressing confidence in Bazardo’s ability, the decision proved costly.

“You make your decisions, and sometimes you have to live and die with it,” Wilson stated. “It just didn’t go our way.”

Seattle’s offense faltered in the final four innings, failing to secure any hits. The game concluded with a strikeout of Leo Rivas, Dominic Canzone, and Rodríguez against Jeff Hoffman in the ninth. The weight of the loss was palpable as Wilson addressed the team’s potential.

“I know this stings and there’s no question that it’s going to sting,” Wilson remarked. “It’s a shame that we had to come out on the wrong side of this one.”

This season marked a significant progression for the Mariners, reaching the ALCS for the first time since 2001. Despite the defeat, Wilson emphasized the team’s growth and resilience, hinting at a determined march towards the next season.

“All of us now have had a taste of how close we can get and how good this team can be,” he concluded. “I know that will continue to be the goal.”

As the Mariners reflect on this heart-wrenching loss, all eyes will be on how they regroup and prepare for what lies ahead in the coming offseason.