Blue Jays on brink of elimination after dropping Game 5 to Mariners. Recap here.

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'A comeback team is a championship team': Fans in Toronto react to Blue Jays' Game 5 loss

Blue Jays face elimination back in Toronto after Game 5 loss to Mariners

CTV National News: Blue Jays face elimination after loss to Mariners in Game 5 of ALCS

‘He got the job done’: Scherzer propels Blue Jays to 8-2 win, evening up series

Final moments of Game 4 as the Blue Jays tie the series against Mariners

The Toronto Blue Jays are on the brink of elimination after dropping Game 5 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) to the Seattle Mariners.

Game 6 will be at Rogers Centre on Sunday night, and Trey Yesavage will start for the Blue Jays.

Toronto last played in the World Series in 1993, while the Mariners have never advanced.

Key details

• George Springer limped off the field in the seventh inning after getting hit by a pitch from Bryan Woo; Joey Loperfido enters the game to pinch run
• Blue Jays score twice on two doubles: one from George Springer and one from Ernie Clement
• Eugenio Suarez, who launched a solo home run in the second inning, hit a grand slam.
• Cal Raleigh hit a solo homer to tie the game
• Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller pulled after giving up one out in the top of the fifth inning

Here is the latest (all times in ET):

10:09 p.m. - Little reflects on 8th inning

Speaking to reporters in the locker room, Brendon Little said he feels terrible for the loss.

“The team battled all game to put us in a position to win and I came in and really couldn’t have pitched worse,” Little said.

“Just missed on the first one, and then I really wanted to establish that sucker away, and ended up leaving the one that he (Raleigh) hit out, so little too much off the plate, and then, from there, just struggled and ended up putting Ser in a bad spot.”

Starting pitcher Kevin Gausman told reporters that he stopped Little after the game and chatted with him.

When asked about what that meant to him, Little said, “They’ve (the team) been great, really all year. Been a long year. It’s been a fun year. So, they’ve been everything, picked me up when stuff goes terrible, like this. So, he (Gausman) was awesome, but honestly, it makes it kind of feel worse just kind of blowing a great start from him.”

The relief pitcher added that while it’s a silver lining that the final two games of the series will be at home where the Jays played well this season, it would have been better to play on Sunday with the lead.

“We’re trying to win every game, and we had the chance to do that tonight until, obviously, I blew it,” Little said. “It will be great to go home, but it’d be nice to be up 3-2, rather than down 3-2.”

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

9:37 p.m. - Schneider on his message to players after loss

“We still have home field advantage and as cool of an environment it is here to play here, I know that our fans are going to be ready for us to get home on Sunday. So I’ve said it all along, it’s a seven-game series, you know what I mean? And we did our job, coming in here, taking two out of three, and we’re going to go home, and we’re going to definitely be ready to play,” Schneider said when asked what’s his message to his players.

“It turns from a seven into a five into a three. It’s two-game series. We’ve won two games in a row a whole lot this year. That’s what we expect to do, starting on Sunday.”

As for what he said to Seranthony Dominguez and Brendon Little after the game, the Jays manager shared that he gave them a pat on the ass and told them to keep their head up.

“Everything is magnified this time of year. Decisions get magnified. Pitches get magnified. S*** I get it. You know what I mean. It is what it is. But these guys will bounce back. Everyone on our team bounces back, and they’re going to be asked to be in big spots again, and I want them to be ready for it,” Schneider said.

“All we can do is enjoy the flight back to Toronto, enjoy our beds and our homes and our families, and we’re gonna f****** get after it on Sunday. You know what I mean? I don’t want these guys to crawl into a hole. That’s not who we are, you know. So we’ll get after it on Sunday. We’ll be ready to play. I wouldn’t have it any other way with this group. Our backs are gonna be against the wall. Great. We don’t give a s***. So I hope those guys don’t give a s***, excuse my language, but it’s gonna be fun, you know. And I hope these guys are ready for it. I know they’ll be ready for it.”

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

9:34 p.m. - Update on Springer

John Schneider said George Springer suffered a right knee contusion.

“He had X-rays, which were negative, which is a good thing. He’ll probably do some more testing tonight when we get home,” the Jays manager said.

“I think he’ll have to really, really be hurting to not be in the lineup on Sunday. So we’ll see how he is.”

Schneider also called out some Mariners fans who booed when Springer got injured.

“I know this is an awesome atmosphere to play in, and it’s really, really cool to play here, and I think the fans that were booing him should take a look in the mirror and understand what kind of player he is and I’ll stop there, because when a guy gets hit in the knee and there’s an obvious pain, and you have 40,000 people cheering, not the right thing to do,” the manager said.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

9:23 p.m. - Schneider on 8th inning decision

Speaking to reporters after the game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he wanted the top of the Mariners lineup “to see different guys.”

“Little has been one of our best pitchers in big spots. Tough guy to elevate. Cal’s a really good hitter. I get it, man. After that, you got to settle down and throw strikes too. So that’s been part of Little’s game. So has strikeouts.”

“I trust every single guy on this roster. It’s hard. No one feels worse than Little. No one feels worse than Ser (Dominguez) right now or me. But I trust every single guy on this roster. Today, it didn’t work out, but we’ve won two games in a row a whole lot this year.”

When asked if he considered calling Jeff Hoffman to start the eighth inning, the Jays manager said he considered it.

“Decisions are hard. I think being convicted in a process is important. And you make a decision and you leave it behind you. It’s part of baseball. You know, second guessing is part of it. Thought about it for sure. And again, we’ve relied on every single guy on our roster to get to get a lot of wins this year so could have done that,” Schneider said.

“We talked about that situation for sure, and unfortunately, didn’t work out.”

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

9:20 p.m. – ‘Everyone in the stadium expected him to hit a home run’: Jeter on Raleigh

Former New York Yankee Derek Jeter was super impressed with Cal Raleigh in Game 5.

“He delivers,” Jeter said postgame. “Everyone in the stadium expected him to hit a home run. How good is Cal Raleigh? He’s catching every inning, he’s hitting home runs, and then he bats right-handed for the first time in the series… what an impressive, not only season and postseason, but moment right there.”

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

FINAL SCORE: Blue Jays 2, Mariners 6

The Seattle Mariners are one win away from advancing to the World Series after mounting a comeback in Game 5 that was capped by a Eugenio Suarez grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

9:02 p.m. - Mariners grand slam

Eugenio Suarez goes deep for the second time in this game and hits a grand slam, giving the Mariners a 6-2 lead.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

8:55 p.m. - Little gets no out

After Cal Raleigh’s home run, Little walks Jorge Polanco and Josh Naylor. He is replaced by Seranthony Dominguez.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

8:49 p.m. - Raleigh dinger ties game

Brendon Little gives up a solo home run to Cal Raleigh, and Game 5 is tied at 2.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

8:21 p.m. - Springer hit by pitch in the knee

George Springer gets hit by Bryan Woo’s fastball directly in the right kneecap and collapses next to the batter’s box. He was on the ground for a few minutes before getting up and attempting to get to first base.

However, Springer limps back to the dugout and leaves. Joey Loperfido pinch runs for him.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

8:17 p.m. - Gausman final pitching line

Kevin Gausman gave up three hits, a home run, three walks and struck out four in 5 2/3 innings.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

8:10 p.m. - Gausman done after 5 2/3 innings

After walking Randy Arozarena with two outs, Blue Jays manager John Schneider walks to the mound and takes Gausman out of the game.

Louis Varland faces Eugenio Suarez.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

8:06 p.m. - 🪭🪭🪭🪭🪭🪭

7:59 p.m. - Clement cashes in Kirk

Ernie Clement doubles with one out, and Alejandro Kirk hustles from second base to score a run and give the Jays a 2-1 lead.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

7:54 p.m. - Woo comes out of bullpen

Bryan Woo, who has not pitched since Sept. 19 due to an injury, takes the mound in the top of the sixth inning and gives up a double to Alejandro Kirk.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

7:35 p.m. - Blue Jays get on board

With two outs, George Springer hits a double to drive in Addison Barger and tie the game.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

7:30 p.m. – Schneider checks in with how he thinks the game is going

“I think (our approach against Bryce Miller) has been really good,” John Schneider told MLB on Fox reporter Ken Rosenthal at the top of the fifth inning.

“We’ve had traffic almost every inning… we gotta just keep putting pressure on him. Keep getting traffic on the bases and we gotta get the big hit.”

Speaking about the awkward inning ending double play with the bases loaded, Schneider said it was an unfortunate Clement couldn’t make contact.

“I thought last inning; everyone did their part. Weird way to end it there with the tapper out in front of the plate. Kinda want Ernie up there to make contact, but it didn’t work out.”

As for his thoughts on Gausman’s start: “I think he’s got good stuff. His split’s really good. Just going forward, I think just not be too predictable with it and use his fastball as well.”

- Laura Sebben,CTVNewsToronto.cajournalist

7:27 p.m. - Miller done, Matt Brash in

After giving a single to Addison Barger at the top of the fifth inning, Bryce Miller is pulled out of the game. Matt Brash, who is from Kingston, Ont., will face Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who doubled the last time.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

7:15 p.m. - Miller escapes bases-loaded jam

Nathan Lukes opened the top of the fourth inning with a double. After intentionally walking Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bryce Miller walked Alejandro Kirk to load the bases.

Daulton Varsho struck out, and Ernie Clement hit into a double play to end the top of the third inning.

The Blue Jays have hit a double in three of the four innings so far, but have failed to score a run.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

6:43 p.m. - Suarez homer

For the fourth time in this series, the Mariners cross the home plate first. Eugenio Suarez goes deep to give Seattle a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

6:30 p.m. - After one inning

Guerrero Jr. doubled with two outs but was left on base.

Cal Raleigh also hit a double with one out, but the Mariners did not score a run.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

6:08 p.m. - Play ball

Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller has taken the mound to start Game 5. George Springer is hitting first, followed by Nathan Lukes and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

4:45 p.m. - Blue Jays fans can book a room at the Toronto Marriott City Centre hotel for Game 6

Blue Jays fans still looking for a way to watch Game 6 of the ALCS at the Rogers Centre could book a room at the park’s hotel for less than the cost of some resale tickets.

A room at the Toronto Marriott City Centre overlooking the field starts at around $3,243 per night for its Bonvoy members on Sunday night ($3,309 for non members). However, there are some resale tickets on Ticketmaster that cost more than that with the priciest, located in Section 4 of Rogers Centre, going for around $7,390 per seat.

The room can fit up to five people so, if splitting the price evenly for the cost of a non-member room, each person would pay around $662 (before tax).

• READ MORE: Rogers Centre hotel prices cost less than some resale tickets for Game 6 of the ALCS

- Alex Arsenych, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

4:40 p.m. - Jays players show off their away game fits one final time on the walk to the locker room in Seattle

4:39 p.m. - Probability of the Blue Jays making it to the World Series

MLB writer Sarah Langs said that teams who lose Games 1 and 2 but then win Games 3 and 4 in any best-of-seven postseason series have gone on to win that series 10 out of 23 times, or 43.5 per cent.

In postseason series with the MLB’s current 2-3-2 format of home and away games, Langs says the team playing Game 5 on the road has taken the series 34 out of 60 times, or 56.7 per cent.

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

4:04 p.m. - Blue Jays fans return to T-Mobile Park

Despite first pitch still more than two hours away, dozens of Blue Jays fans have come early to T-Mobile Park to watch the team during batting practice.

Many Canadians on the west coast have made the trip to Seattle to cheer on “Canada’s Team” as they take on the Mariners. The Jays have rewarded their travelling fans, winning Games 3 and 4 to level the ALCS.

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

4 p.m. - Blue Jays have highest postseason batting average since 2007

3:54 p.m. - Springer gives Vladdy a gift

3:36 p.m. - ‘Interesting, cool group of characters’: Schneider on the team

Echoing what Barger said earlier, Schneider commended the team on being a unique group of players who all step up to the plate in different ways.

“It’s such a interesting, cool group of characters,” he said. “Looking back to last year, I think it was important for guys like Joey (Loperfido), like Addie (Addison Barger)... to get some exposure to the big leagues last year. Even Ernie (Clement), Davis Schneider... a little bit of that experience is really good for them. So you go into the offseason and say, ‘okay, how can we get better?’... We’re going to lean into contact. We’re going to continue to lean into defense.”

“So where does it fit?... They’ve all been phenomenal... So, to add to Vlad (Guerrero Jr.) and George (Springer) and Varsh (Daulton Varsho) and Kirky (Alejandro Kirk) and Bo, it’s been a really cool mix of people, not just players, and the guys really have taken to everyone that has come into the team.”

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

3:34 p.m. - ‘I feel bad for him’: Schneider on Santander

When asked about Anthony Santander being removed from the ALCS roster, ending his season, Schneider said he feels bad for him since he already fought back from an earlier injury this year.

“It’s tough,” Schneider told reporters. “I feel bad for him. First year of a five year deal and it didn’t go the way he wanted, the way we had hoped, all that kind of stuff. I give him all the credit in the world for fighting back the way he did, to try to get back and help us, and physically it just didn’t happen.”

“So, he was disappointed. We’re disappointed. He understands that we’re at the point where we can’t play guys short, and it obviously affects the next round if you move on, but you got to do what’s right for everyone, and ultimately, what’s right for Tony.”

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

3:30 p.m. - Trey Yesavage will start Game 6 in Toronto for the Blue Jays

Blue Jays’ manager John Schneider said Trey Yesavage was a “pretty easy choice” to take the mound for Game 6 when the ALCS returns to Toronto.

“We’ve asked a lot of him,” Schneider said. “I feel like his last three starts in the big leagues have been pretty big games, and he’s responded well.”

“Every time I’ve told him, ‘here’s when you’re pitching,’ the reaction is exactly what you want to hear. I think his outing (in Game 2) with the three run homer in the first (inning) on a hanging split... I thought he threw the ball fine, to be honest with you, and I thought he made some good adjustments along the way. So you got to a couple those two things together, and it’s a pretty easy choice.”

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

3:05 p.m. - ‘Adrenaline takes over’: Barger

Barger said the energy now that they’re in the postseason has shifted and that the whole team feels it.

“I would say it’s kind of how I expected it,” Barger told reporters. “I mean, definitely the crowd’s more on, more energetic, and you feel it on every pitch. That adrenaline for us just kind of takes over. Even though it’s game 100-and-whatever for us and we’re all beat up and tired, but the fans and the energy they bring every day kind of carries us through the games, for sure.”

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

3:04 p.m. - Clement comments on viral Scherzer mound moment

“I’ve been kind of waiting for that all year,” Clement said when asked about Max Scherzer’s outburst on the mound in Game 4. “I’ve seen it on TV, and just from watching baseball over the last 15 years, he’s so fired up and wants to be out there and wants to kick your ass. So to be on that side of it, I’ve been kind of waiting for that all season.”

“It was so fun to be a part of, and I couldn’t help but laugh. It’s just so funny. Because after he comes out (of the game), he kind of flips the switch and goes back to being that fun loving jokester. It’s like he’s got two personalities. It’s hysterical.”

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

3 p.m. - Key to Blue Jays’ success is trust: Barger

Addison Barger told reporters that trusting each other is a key part of the teams’ success this year.

“All nine guys in the line of trusting the guy behind him,” Barger explained. “There’s not one guy that’s trying to do too much. Obviously Vlad has had a pretty darn good postseason. But it’s been one through nine, and one through 13 on the position player side.”

“It’s been a different guy every day. It’s cool to be a part of. You don’t have to go up there and try to hit a home run every at bat, just try to get on base for the guy behind you.”

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

2:55 p.m. - Clement says ‘leaning into strengths’ is helping him this postseason

Speaking to the media ahead of Game 5, Ernie Clement said he knows what works and what doesn’t work for him when he steps up to the plate.

“I’ve just started to lean into my strengths a little bit, which is putting the bat on the ball,” Clement said. “I kind of (used to) try to work the count a little bit and maybe try to draw some walks and hit for more power. And that’s just not really my game. So over the last couple years, I’ve learned to just make it really hard on opposing pitchers with my ability to get hits on pitchers pitches and I’ve just really been more aggressive.”

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

2:40 p.m. - ‘Credit to them’: Martinez on Bieber and Scherzer

Former Seattle Mariners player and current senior direct of hitting strategy for the team, Edgar Martinez, echoed what Wilson said about the offence needing to make adjustments.

“I believe that Bieber and Scherzer pitched really well,” he said. “I mean credit to them. They made pitches. The first inning for Bieber... he didn’t have great command, same with Scherzer yesterday, but the second inning they both found their secondary pitches and made great pitches.”

“Our team have always been able to make adjustments and we just hope that today is that day that we make adjustments and take advantage of mistakes.”

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

2:30 p.m. - Blue Jays reveal starting lineup for Game 5

The Blue Jays announce their starting lineup for Game 5 and it is a direct match to the players, batting order, and positions in Game 4, with the exception of a different starting pitcher, Kevin Gausman.

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

2:27 p.m. - Blue Jays have ‘well-balanced’ lineup

Baseball columnist Joel Sherman says unlike the three other teams, the Blue Jays are not struggling offensively, hitting above .300 this postseason.

“The Blue Jays’ offence has transitioned from very good in the regular season to even better at this time of year, and it’s the only one that has consistently been good,” Sherman said on MLB Network.

Former MLB player Eric Hosmer agreed, describing Toronto’s lineup as “well-balanced.”

“Their superstar, Vladdy Jr., is going off right now, and that’s a big showing, you can see, and it shows. But when you look at the other guys, I mean, the other guys in the bottom of the lineup, it seems like Ernie Clement, every time he comes up in the fourth or fifth inning to lead off an inning, he’s getting on base, he’s setting the table. They’re not one-dimensional,” Hosmer said.

“They can beat you in many ways. They can run the bases, they can get guys over. And it seems like in those big situations, when they need contact or they need to get guys over, they’re coming through every time.”

- Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

2:04 p.m. - Wilson says facing Gausman again will be beneficial for the offence

Wilson said he believes it is “helpful” that the team has already faced Gausman once this series in Toronto, and should help them do better offensively in Game 5.

“I think it is help helpful for sure,” he explained. “Our guys have learned from the first time facing him in Toronto. Obviously, with his repertoire, there’s a lot of sliders to the righties, a lot of splits to the lefties. I think getting him up in the zone is going to be a key for us to get today.”

“We talked about the last time, and making him get in the zone and hopefully finding a mistake there and doing damage to it. So again, that familiarity is super helpful in game planning. It’s super helpful in their preparation, as they get ready to get in the batter’s box and I think we’ll be in good shape offensively today.”

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

2 p.m. - ‘Continue to make adjustments’: Wilson

Seattle Mariners’ manager Dan Wilson says his team needs to make adjustments and be more consistent for the remainder of the series.

“We continue to make adjustments and I know our guys will be able to do that,” Wilson told reporters ahead of Game 5. “They’ve done it all season... yesterday, we were able to get some guys on, but not able to get them in consistently. I think when we’re at our best, we’re grinding out at bats one after the other, and seeing a lot of pitches, getting deep into counts and making that pitcher work... whatever we can do to get on base.”

“I think that’s where we’re at, and that’s what we need to continue to do and find ways to do that more consistently.”

- Laura Sebben, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

1:45 p.m. - Bo Bichette takes a few swings

Shortstop Bo Bichette was seen taking a few practice swings at bat, marking just the latest in signs of recovery this postseason.

Bichette has been one of Toronto’s closely watched players since he missed the end of the season and ALDS with a knee injury. Last week, he was also seen jogging with a brace.

It’s unclear how well Bichette is feeling but this latest sighting surely marks a sign of progress as the team looks to secure a spot in the World Series next week.

CP24’s Melissa Duggan also shared video to X.

- Jermaine Wilson, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

12:30 p.m. - City of Toronto watch party announced

Tonight’s Game 5 watch party will officially take place downtown at David Pecaut Square.

In a post to social media, officials are asking fans to wear blue, bring loads of energy and a chair to watch the game on the big screen.

For more details visit the city’s website here.

- Jermaine Wilson, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist

11:15 a.m. - LIVE from T-Mobile Park

CP24’s Melissa Duggan is reporting live from T-Mobile Park in Seattle ahead of Game 5 of the ALCS. Duggan is on the field where crews are hosing down the seats and cleaning out the Jays dugout. She says that she is expecting a large number of Blue Jays fans in the building tonight as the team looks to take a 3-2 lead in the series.

“This place is going to be packed full of fans pretty soon, probably lots of Jays fans,” she says.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24.com and CTVNewsToronto.ca

11 a.m. - Guerrero Jr. ‘the star of stars’

MLB Network host Mark DeRosa paid tribute to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. during a segment on Friday morning, calling the Blue Jays first baseman “the star of stars.”

“We know on a daily basis how great Vladimir Guerrero is but when someone drops half a billion dollars on somebody I need more than just offence,” DeRosa said alongside a montage of Guerrero Jr.’s October highlights. “What I think he has shown to the world that people didn’t realize is he is more than just offence and he is carrying them. I know they (the Blue Jays) have quality at bats but it is all starting with their start being the star of stars on the biggest stage. It is every night, it is quality at bats it is elite exit velocity, it is driving the ball to all parts of the park.”

Guerrero Jr. has gone 15 for 33 at the plate this post-season with five home runs and 11 runs brought in.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24.com and CTVNewsToronto.ca

10:30 a.m. - Resale ticket prices in Seattle drop

Demand for tickets to Game 5 of the ALCS in Seattle appears to have fallen dramatically after the Blue Jays won back-to-back road games to even the series at two games.

As of 10:30 a.m., the cheapest pair of tickets available on StubHub were listed for $109 each while resale tickets on SeatGeek could be had for $117 each.

That is a significant difference from the first two games of the series in Seattle, when resale tickets were listed for more than $300 on most platforms.

Some prices appear to even be below box office prices, as a small number of similar seats available for sale on Ticketmaster were going for $313 USD on Friday morning.

Of course, if you want to attend Game 6 in Toronto on Sunday night, you will have to shell out considerably more.

As of 10:30 a.m., the cheapest general admission ticket at the Rogers Centre was listed at $303 on StubHub while the cheapest 500-level seat was priced at $448.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24.com and CTVNewsToronto.ca