SEATTLE — Addison Barger delivered a decisive single in the eighth inning, helping the Toronto Blue Jays come back from a three-run deficit to secure a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night.
Bo Bichette initiated Toronto’s comeback with a two-run homer in the fifth inning. Barger then leveled the score at 3 with an RBI groundout in the sixth, while Alejandro Kirk contributed by recording four hits.
Myles Straw strengthened the Blue Jays’ position with a two-run single off Seattle’s Carlos Vargas (1-2) in the eighth inning.
Mason Fluharty (3-0) provided 1 1/3 immaculate innings, and Jeff Hoffman impressively struck out all three batters in the ninth to earn his ninth save.
Barger also stood out with two RBIs and three doubles in Toronto’s previous win on Friday night, marking the Blue Jays’ third consecutive victory following a four-game losing streak.
For the Mariners, Rowdy Tellez hit a solo home run in the second inning. Randy Arozarena contributed with an RBI double in the fourth, and Leody Taveras added a sacrifice fly to push the Mariners to an early 3-0 lead.
Toronto’s starting pitcher, Bowden Francis, surrendered three runs and six hits over 6 2/3 innings, striking out five while issuing one walk. Seattle’s Logan Evans conceded three runs and five hits across five innings.
A pivotal moment ensued in the seventh inning when Seattle advanced runners to the corners with the score tied at 3. Fluharty, coming in as relief, managed to retire J.P. Crawford with a flyball, concluding the inning without further damage.
J.P. Crawford, who was on a 16-game hitting streak—the longest active streak in the majors at that point—ended the night going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.
Looking forward, Mariners’ right-hander Bryce Miller (2-3, 4.15 ERA) is set to take the mound against Toronto’s RHP José Ureña (0-0, 8.59 ERA) in the series finale on Sunday.