Mariners’ World Series Dreams Dashed in Heartbreaking Game 7

UPDATE: In a devastating turn of events, the Seattle Mariners fell just short of their first World Series appearance, losing to the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on October 16, 2023.

With only eight outs left to secure their first trip to the World Series, the Mariners’ hopes crumbled in a heartbreaking finale. “I hate to use the word failure, but it’s a failure,” said Mariners star Cal Raleigh, reflecting the crushing disappointment felt by the team and its fans. “What we expected was to get to the World Series and win a World Series. That’s what the bar is and the standard is.”

Seattle entered Toronto with a commanding 3-2 series lead, needing just one win to bring the World Series to the Pacific Northwest for the first time. However, the Mariners, who celebrated their first AL West title since 2001, were unable to clinch the victory.

Early in the game, the Mariners took the lead when Julio Rodríguez doubled to start the first inning and scored on a single by Josh Naylor. Rodríguez’s fourth postseason homer later put Seattle ahead 2-1 in the third. Raleigh added a home run in the fifth, extending the lead to 3-1.

The turning point came in the seventh inning when pitcher Eduard Bazardo allowed a crucial three-run homer to George Springer, swinging the momentum in favor of the Blue Jays. Mariners manager Dan Wilson expressed regret over the decision to bring in Bazardo, stating, “You make your decisions, and sometimes you have to live and die with it.”

The Mariners did not manage a hit in the final four innings, and their season ultimately ended when Leo Rivas, Dominic Canzone, and Rodríguez struck out against Jeff Hoffman in the ninth. “I know this stings and there’s no question that it’s going to sting,” Wilson added, reflecting on the emotional toll of the loss.

Seattle’s journey to this point was historic, marking the first time the team had reached the ALCS beyond Game 6. Fans and players alike are left to ponder what could have been, but Wilson remains hopeful. “All of us now have had a taste of how close we can get and how good this team can be,” he said. “Once you get that, that’s what you’re shooting for again the next year.”

The Mariners’ season may have ended in heartbreak, but their aspirations for a World Series title will surely fuel their pursuit in the upcoming seasons. As the Blue Jays celebrate their first World Series berth since 1993, the Mariners will regroup and look forward to the challenges ahead.