🔗 Share this article

Toronto's Blue Jays advanced to their maiden championship series since 1993 by defeating the Seattle Mariners in the decisive Game 7 of the AL Championship Series.

Down by two runs, outfielder George Springer smashed a three-run homer in the seventh frame, propelling the sole Canadian team in Major League Baseball to a four games to three victory in the seven-game series. Next up are the Dodgers, the team that is the defending champions, in the forthcoming Fall Classic.

"I'm just so happy for this squad, our city, Canada," commented Springer, a key player of the Houston Astros team that claimed the 2017 World Series. "What an amazing experience."

George Springer has now connected for 23 October home runs, ranking him third all-time trailing only Manny Ramirez (29) and Jose Altuve (twenty-seven).

"It's hard to imagine anyone else on planet Earth that I want up in that moment other than George Springer with his playoff prowess," remarked Blue Jays manager John Schneider.

Seattle, despite leading the series two games to none and three games to two, are still the sole team yet to make an appearance in a Fall Classic.

Manager Dan Wilson stated "there's no question that it's painful" after his team's loss at Rogers Centre, but commended their performance this season.

"This is a unique group. Sadly that we had to come out on the unsuccessful side of this game," he remarked.

Toronto's team secured the title on their two prior appearances in 1992 and '93, and will welcome the Dodgers in the first game on the upcoming Friday.