🔗 Share this article

Toronto's Blue Jays earned a spot in their initial championship series after 1993 by overcoming the Mariners in the decisive seventh game of the American League Championship Series.

Behind 3-1, outfielder George Springer hit a three-run home run in the seventh frame, propelling the sole Canadian team in the majors to a 4-3 triumph in the best-of-seven series. Next up are the defending champions, who are the reigning title, in the anticipated World Series.

"I'm thrilled for everyone here, the city, Canada," said Springer, a star of the Houston Astros team that secured the 2017 championship. "It's truly an amazing experience."

The veteran has now hit 23 total post-season home runs, making him third on the list after Ramirez (29) and Altuve (27).

"It's hard to imagine another player in the world that I'd prefer in that situation except for him with his post-season brilliance," noted Schneider.

Seattle, despite leading the early in the series, remain the sole team that has never reached in a World Series.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson stated "without a doubt that it hurts" in the wake of his club's elimination at Toronto's Rogers Centre, but applauded their work this season.

"It's a special team. Unfortunately that we ended up on the wrong side of this one," he remarked.

Toronto's team won the title on each of their earlier trips in 1992 and 1993, and will welcome the Los Angeles in the opener on Friday.