Blue Jays Lose Mariners 6-1in Extra Innings

Toronto relievers Jordan Romano and Eric Swanson packed bags in their locker stalls at the Rogers Center to continue rallying to return from the injured list before traveling to Buffalo on Wednesday.

The sooner they return from their Triple-A assignments, the better for the Toronto bullpen that missed them.

Relievers Tim Meiza and Mitch White were rough for the Blue Jays as Seattle scored five runs in the 10th inning to win 6-1.

With Mitch Garver aboard as the pinch hitter, Cole hit Raleigh Mayza's first pitch off the wall to give the Mariners the lead. White gave up three more runs in the frame as Seattle won for the second time in eight games.

Mayza's velocity has dipped somewhat in the early going, but manager John Schneider's options are limited, with Romano and Swanson still rehabbing and closer Chad Green unavailable.

“I don't think we put it in the best spots because we came up a little short,” Schneider said. “But yeah, it's been a rough ride for Tim.”

Yusei Kikuchi pitched an 89-pitch start for Toronto before giving way to Nate Pearson in the seventh inning. Yimi Garcia was dominant in her two-period appearance, but Mayza couldn't keep things going.

“I don't think it's his stuff at all,” Schneider said. “I think there are more sliders with that. The sinker is his best pitch.”

Green, who started the first two games of the series, filled in for the remainder of the game when Romano was sidelined. Swanson usually throws in high leverage situations.

Markham, Ont. and Swanson (wrist) Romano (elbow) were both scheduled to be out Thursday for the Bisons. When they are finally allowed to activate, Schneider can move his relievers into regular roles.

Toronto came close to winning the game in the ninth inning, but a great defensive play by second baseman Jorge Polanco sent the game into extra innings. Ernie Clement hit a fly ball to shallow right field, but Polanco made a nice run to tie the game.

White gave up an RBI double to Ty France and a two-run double to Mitch Haniger. Ryan Stanek recorded the final three hits for Seattle.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the Blue Jays (6-7). Both teams had six hits on the afternoon.

Seattle (5-8) got a run in the third inning off Kikuchi for its first lead of the series. Dylan Moore walked, stole second and came home on a JP Crawford layup to right field.

Kikuchi allowed one run, two walks and three hits. The left-hander had nine hits.

Seattle starter Logan Gilbert retired seven Blue Jays in a row before Guerrero's inevitable blast in the seventh inning, just past Toronto's .300-level scoreboard.

His third homer of the year had an exit velocity of 114.3 mph and traveled about 459 feet.

In the eighth, Daulton Warshaw reached on a two-out single and George Springer walked to end Gilbert's afternoon. Right-hander Andres Munoz (1-1) pitched and flied out before Guerrero survived a nervous ninth.

Gilbert allowed one run, five hits and a walk. He had eight hits.

“Great outing by Logan Gilbert today,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “That's exactly what we needed. I know it's early in the season, but it's very important for our club.”

The published attendance was 22,960 and the game took two hours and 40 minutes to play.

Agreement before the game

Before the game, the Blue Jays announced that right-hander Wes Parsons had been traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for the international signing bonus pool.

Parsons made one appearance for Toronto last season and two relief appearances this year.

He is coming

Both the Blue Jays and Mariners have Thursday off.

The Blue Jays begin a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Friday. The home team's nine-game homestand ends next week with a three-game series against the New York Yankees.

This Canadian Press report was first published on April 10, 2024.