Mariners Fans Hope in ALCS Game 3 at T-Mobile Park

The Seattle Mariners’ bid to seize control of the American League Championship Series took a hard hit in Game 3. They fell 13-4 to the Toronto Blue Jays in front of a sold-out crowd at T-Mobile Park.

What began as a night full of energy and optimism, fueled by an early home run from Julio Rodríguez, quickly unraveled. Toronto’s bats caught fire, and momentum swung hard the other way as the series heads toward a pivotal Game 4.

Mariners Start Strong, But Toronto Quickly Turns the Tide

Seattle fans barely had time to settle into their seats before Rodríguez delivered a towering two-run homer in the first inning. The stadium roared, the energy was palpable, and for a moment, it felt like the Mariners might cruise to a commanding series lead.

Unfortunately for Seattle, those early fireworks didn’t last. Toronto wasted no time responding.

The Third-Inning Collapse

George Kirby opened the game with confidence and precision. But the third inning hit him hard.

Toronto struck with a two-run blast from Andrés Giménez that tied the game. Moments later, Daulton Varsho drove in two more with a double, and suddenly the Blue Jays had a lead they never gave back.

By the end of the inning, Seattle trailed 5-2. The crowd felt the shift—Toronto had all the momentum.

Home Run Barrage by the Blue Jays

The Blue Jays didn’t stop after their big third inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hammered a solo shot in the fifth, and Toronto’s lineup finished the night with four home runs.

Their aggressive approach at the plate exposed Seattle’s pitching weaknesses. The Mariners just couldn’t find an answer in their rotation or bullpen.

Kudos to Shane Bieber’s Dominance

Toronto’s offense stole the headlines, but starting pitcher Shane Bieber deserves some credit here. He struck out seven and allowed only two runs over five strong innings.

Bieber’s mix of velocity and control made it tough for Mariners hitters to find any rhythm after the opening frame. He looked locked in all night.

Seattle’s Struggles on the Mound

Kirby’s final stat line—seven runs allowed on eight hits over just four-plus innings—really tells the story. Nothing seemed to work for Seattle on the mound.

The bullpen didn’t help, surrendering more runs and letting the deficit balloon. Toronto’s relentless offense turned what could have been a close game into a rout.

Brief Offensive Spark in the Eighth

The Mariners showed a flicker of life late in the game. Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh launched back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning.

But by that point, the damage was done. Outside of the first inning and that quick rally, Seattle’s bats stayed pretty quiet against a locked-in Toronto bullpen.

The Series Outlook Heading Into Game 4

This loss narrows Seattle’s lead in the ALCS to 2-1. Now there’s added pressure on their Game 4 starter, Luis Castillo, who’ll face off against Max Scherzer.

The stakes are high—another Toronto win would even the series and swing momentum their way. For Seattle, protecting home field is a must if they want to avoid heading back to Toronto with the series tied.

Fan Resilience Amid Setback

Despite the blowout, Seattle’s fanbase stayed engaged and optimistic. The energy in the stadium, even in defeat, says a lot about how much this playoff run means to the city.

Key Takeaways from Game 3

If you’re trying to figure out what really changed the game, these were the big moments:

• Rodríguez’s early homer fired up the crowd, but it just didn’t last.
• Kirk’s third-inning unraveling handed Toronto the lead, and they never looked back.
• Shane Bieber’s commanding start shut down Seattle’s bats after that first burst.
• Toronto’s offensive explosion—four home runs, plus some gutsy base running—put them firmly in control.
• Seattle’s bullpen struggles killed any hope for a late rally.

Postseason baseball just flips in a heartbeat, doesn’t it? Seattle’s going to need sharper pitching and more consistent offense in Game 4. That home crowd? Absolutely crucial again.

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Here is the source article for this story: Live: Updates: Mariners fans ‘want to believe,’ await ALCS Game 3 at T-Mobile Park