As for losing in the playoffs, this one hurt the Toronto Blue Jays more than most.
With a seven-run lead and the support of a sold-out crowd, a Game 2 win seemed like a virtual suspension in their wild-card streak against Seattle.
The Mariners had other plans. They completed an unlikely two-innings four-run comeback before taking the lead in the ninth with a stunning 10-9 win.
Instead of planning a crucial Game 3 for Sunday at the Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays had to brood over a crushing defeat that ended their postseason.
“We fought and we fought,” said Jordan Romano, who grew closer to the Blue Jays. “It just wasn’t good enough.”
Two key moments stood out in Saturday’s collapse.
Tim Mayza passed starter Kevin Gausman in the sixth inning and handed off a three-run homer to Carlos Santana.
A few innings later, JP Crawford lifted a Romano blooper into low midfield. Toronto outfielder George Springer and shortstop Bo Bichette collided during the game, and three runs ensued.
Springer was taken off the field with a golf cart while Bichette stayed in the game. Manager John Schneider said Springer was doing “fine” but gave no injury details.
Toronto Blue Jays center fielder George Springer (4) leaves the field on a cart after being injured during the eighth inning of American League wild card MLB postseason baseball action against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Toronto. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Toronto was swept out of the wild card round for the second time in three years.
“It stinks now but it will only make us better and stronger,” said catcher Danny Jansen. “We will get where we want to be.”
The Blue Jays won 92 regular-season games and appeared to be in the playoffs’ heyday.
Toronto went 22-11 to take the top wildcard seed and home field advantage in the first round.
The Blue Jays were only able to beat hot starter Luis Castillo in Friday’s Game 1 with a 4-0 shutout loss.
Seattle became the third team in MLB history to come back from a seven-run deficit and win a postseason game. The Blue Jays could only try to find positive takeaways.
“We learned how to navigate through an entire season and how to play meaningful games in September and finish them,” said Toronto third baseman Matt Chapman. “There are many things to be proud of.
“I hope that we all use this as motivation to keep getting better.”
The Blue Jays were a preseason favorite for the World Series. A mediocre first half cost Charlie Montoyo his job as manager and Schneider replaced him on an interim basis.
A young core of ace Alek Manoah, who suffered the loss in Game 1, Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and others won key playoff replays in a loss.
But in 2023 and beyond, more is expected of a team built on winning now.
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jordan Romano (68) looks on during ninth inning American League wild card MLB postseason baseball action against the Seattle Mariners in Toronto on Saturday, October 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
General Manager Ross Atkins tinkered with the trade deadline but didn’t go all-in. The Mariners made it big by giving up some top prospects to sign Castillo from the Cincinnati Reds, and the move paid off.
The Blue Jays have most of their regular players under contract. Ross Stripling, who proved a reliable starter after Hyun-Jin Ryu’s injury at the end of the season, is a notable free agent.
Atkins also has a decision to make for Schneider, who has made his mark on the team after being promoted from bench manager. He delivered strong results in the second half before falling short in the playoff stage.
“My message for the off-season is, as much as it sucks now, it’s going to make this group better,” Schneider said.
Next up for Seattle is a best-of-five American League division series against the top-seeded Houston Astros starting Tuesday.
Since winning the ALDS in 2016, the Blue Jays have lost eight of nine playoff games.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on October 9, 2022.