Springer’s three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners propelled the Toronto Blue Jays to the World Series for the first time in 32 years.
Published October 21, 2025
On Monday night, George Springer hit a game-winning three-run homer in the seventh inning and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-3 to advance to their first Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series since 1993.
Springer’s 23rd postseason home run contributed to the Blue Jays’ victory in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. Toronto hosts Game 1 on Friday, facing Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
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Toronto won the title in each of its previous two World Series appearances, in 1992 and 1993. The Blue Jays and Marlins are the only teams to appear in the Fall Classic multiple times and never lose.
Julio Rodriguez and Cal Lowry hit solo home runs for the Mariners, who fell one game short of advancing to the World Series for the first time in franchise history.
The Blue Jays used a total of six pitchers. After Toronto reliever Seranthony Dominguez pitched a perfect sixth inning, Kevin Guzman (2 wins, 1 loss) took his place in the seventh inning. After a walk and a double play, Gausman, usually the starter, intentionally walked Lowry. Josh Naylor followed with a walk, and Jorge Polanco grounded out.
Brian Wu walked Addison Berger to lead off the home seventh run, and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa hit a single to center field. Andres Jimenez made a sacrifice hit to put runners on second and third base.
Eduardo Bazardo (1-1) replaced Wu against Springer, and Springer hit his fourth home run of the postseason with a 1-0 sinker to left-center field. Springer tied Kyle Schwarber for the most home runs in the playoffs and was third behind Manny Ramirez (29) and Jose Altuve (27).
Chris Bassitt, another regular Toronto starter, pitched a perfect eighth. In the 9th inning, Jeff Hoffman got a strikeout and earned the save.
Rodriguez took the lead with a double into the left-field corner against Shane Bieber. With one out, Naylor hit an RBI single to right field. Naylor was then called for runner interference when he jumped, and his batting helmet made contact with a throw to second base, resulting in a double play.
Toronto responded with a run in the bottom of the inning against George Kirby. Springer walked, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded out to left, and Dalton Varsho (2-for-4) hit a low slider to center field.
Rodriguez hit his fourth home run of the postseason with a 2-2 slider to lead off the third run.
After a double and a walk, Louis Berland replaced Bieber with two outs in the fourth inning and grounded out Rodriguez to end the inning.
Bieber pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits, one walk, two runs, and five strikeouts.
Lowry hit his fifth home run of the postseason in the fifth inning, hitting Berland’s 0-1 changeup to right to give Seattle a 3-1 lead.
Kirby pitched four innings, allowing one run, four hits, and one walk with three strikeouts before Wu took over for 2 1/3 frames.
