One day after losing 8-1 against the Jays, the Mariners were beaten again, though this time they more gave it away than anything.
TORONTO -- The Seattle Mariners took a 3-0 lead into the fifth inning on Saturday afternoon, but weren't able to hold it, as they fell against the Toronto Blue Jays for the second consecutive day at Rogers Centre.
The Mariners are now 64-72 while the Blue Jays improved to 67-70. Toronto is working to stay within striking distance of the final wild card spot while the Mariners on their way to being relegated to only being able to win the mediocre American League West.
Seattle entered the day at 4.0 games back of Houston and will await for the Houston and Mets game to go final in order to know where they stand now.
Here's what you need to know from the 4-3 loss.
Cal Raleigh continues to own the Blue Jays
Raleigh hit a solo home run off Soriano in the top of the second inning, marking his 11th career home run at Rogers Centre. That's his most career home runs at any venue besides T-Mobile Park (76).
He now has 19 home runs this season and is one away from becoming the fourth Mariners player to 20 homers (Julio Rodriguez, Dominic Canzone, and Randy Arozarena).
He also singled and walked.
Taylor Ward registers big knock
Ward, who has struggled since coming to the Mariners in a trade deadline deal for Baltimore, turned a 1-0 lead into a 3-0 lead with his two-run single in the top of the fifth inning.
With two outs and nobody on, the Mariners got a single from Josh Naylor, a walk from Raleigh and a walk from Cole Young to set it up.
Kade Anderson's second start
Making his second career start, Anderson lasted 4.1 innings in this contest, departing the game after throwing a season-high 84 pitches.
Once again, he flashed good command of his robust pitch mix, and showed no fear in attacking Toronto hitters. He gave up three hits and two earned runs, with the runs only scoring after he departed the contest. He walked three, including two in his final inning, and struck out three as well.
Bazardo vs. Springer part two results in major mental mistake
Anderson departed the game with runners on first and second and one out in the fifth with the Mariners leading 3-0.
Eduard Bazardo came into the game and promptly struck out Alejandro Kirk for the second out.
However, he walked Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to load the bases, and then we got a rematch of the ALCS Game 7 matchup between him and George Springer.
Well, Springer didn't take Bazardo deep this time; he walked too. The ball got past Raleigh, so one run scored on the walk, and then a second run scored on the wild pitch. Brett Bateman would have been out by 15 feet, but Bazardo never realized he needed to apply the tag.
Walks absolutely crush the M's
So Anderson walked two batters in the fifth that eventually came round to score as a result of Bazardo's command issues.
In the sixth, with the Mariners still leading 3-2, Jose Ferrer walked the leadoff man and issued a two-out walk, with the former coming into score on a Bateman single that tied the game.
The second walk scored on an Alejandro Kirk single that gave the Jays the lead at 4-3.
Insulting treatment
George Springer, who is 36 years old and no longer known as a good runner with bad feet, stole a base in this game. Alejandro Kirk, who had one career stolen base before this game, stole a base as well.
The crowd gave Kirk a standing ovation and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. laughed and tipped his cap to him from in the batters box.
Frankly, it was a disappointing scene for the Mariners.
One last chance in eighth goes for naught
For as good a day as Raleigh had, he was unable to deliver a crucial hit in the eighth inning. With two outs and nobody on, Julio Rodriguez walked against Tyler Rogers. That prompted the Jays to turn to lefty Mason Fluharty, who allowed a single to Josh Naylor to put runners on the corners.
Raleigh struck out swinging on a 91.3 mph cutter to end the threat.
Buck Martinez ceremony
Before the game, the Blue Jays inducted former catcher, team manager and longtime broadcaster Buck Martinez into the team's new "Hall of Excellence."
The Blue Jays have had a "Level of Excellence" for a number of years, but upgraded to a "Hall" in the team's 50th season. It just opened on Saturday.
Several members of the existing "Level of Excellence" were in attendance, and Martinez delivered an excellent speech.
Well done all around.
The particulars
Right-handed pitcher Jose Soriano earned the win for Toronto after allowing three earned runs in seven innings. He struck out six.
Ferrer got the loss, surrendering the two runs in the sixth. He's now 4-3 with a 3.83 ERA.
On a positive note, Carlos Vargas looked good again in relief. He tossed 2.1 scoreless innings and now has a 1.35 ERA since coming off the injured list last weekend.
