George Springer delivered a dramatic Game 7 home run to send the Toronto Blue Jays back to the World Series for the first time in over 30 years.
The Blue Jays designated hitter connected on a 1-0 pitch from Seattle Mariners pitcher Eduard Bazardo, sending the ball deep into centerfield for a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning. The blast erased a two-run deficit and proved to be the game-winning hit in Toronto’s 4-3 victory at Rogers Centre on Monday night.
Springer’s 96 mph sinker left the park several rows deep, electrifying the crowd as Toronto took its first lead of the game. The moment was especially meaningful for Springer, who had been hit in the right knee by a fastball from Bryan Woo in Game 5 and was uncertain to play in Game 6.
Seattle had scored in the third and fifth innings to take a 3-1 lead, but the Blue Jays mounted a late comeback in the seventh. Addison Barger walked, followed by a single from Isiah Kiner-Falefa, putting two runners on base. After a sacrifice bunt by Andres Gimenez, Springer stepped up to the plate and delivered a clutch hit that will be remembered in Toronto sports history.
The win sets up a World Series showdown between the Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking Toronto’s first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1993.