The comeback Blue Jays strike again and are poised to sweep host Seattle Mariners

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The Blue Jays would go deep as their game against the host Seattle Mariners went deep into the night.

Toronto found itself in deep trouble when trailing, 3-0, but then dug deep in what turned out to be a compelling and entertaining night of baseball.

More games such as Saturday and fans might be able to stomach whatever fate befalls the Blue Jays.

On a night when the margins were razor thin, the Jays held on for a 6-3 comeback win as they eye a series sweep Sunday.

At worst, the Jays have assured themselves of returning home with a .500 road trip.

At best, a sweep of the M’s allows the Jays to return home with a 4-2 record.

The following are three takeaways on a night Bo Bichette would hit his second home run of the season, a two-run blast that was Bichette’s fourth hit of the series, a night Addison Barger would drive in two runs, each with George Springer crossing home plate following some savvy base-running by the veteran.

1. Bowden and now

The more Bowden Francis becomes homer-prone, the more one realizes last year’s late-season emergence was an outlier.

He made his eighth start of the season Saturday, but at no time has Francis flashed that no-hit repertoire he displayed in 2024 when he twice took a no-hit bid into the ninth inning, only to be denied in each instance by yielding leadoff homers.

Entering his outing at T-Mobile Park, Francis had surrendered 11 long balls this season, including six in his past three.

Those numbers increased when ex-Blue Jay Rowdy Tellez took Francis deep in the second inning.

Francis leads the majors in homers allowed, a stat he won’t take any comfort in owning.

For Tellez, it was his sixth dinger of the season and fourth against the Jays after launching moon shots three times last month when Seattle visited Toronto.

Francis was very economical in retiring the Mariners in the first when he needed 10 pitches.

After he gave up a run-scoring double in the fourth inning, Francis had runners at second and third with none out, forcing the Jays’ infield to come in with Tellez at the plate.

Tellez popped out for the first out.

A sac fly would score Seattle’s third run.

Once the side was retired, Francis went on an extended run of high-end pitching by retiring 11 straight, evoking memories of last year’s no-hit misses.

A two-out bloop single in the seventh would end Francis’ night, the deepest he has gone this season.

2. Opportunity knocks

As the saying goes, one man’s misfortune is another’s fortune.

In the case of Andres Gimenez’s quad strain, two players, Barger and Nathan Lukes, have been able to step in and step up.

So far, so good for Barger and Lukes.

Sustainability remains the biggest question for each player.

The big-league roster is dotted with utility players, who need to prove that they can emerge as everyday starters.

Until Gimenez is healthy, the Jays are limited in their options having already sent the likes of Davis Schneider, Will Wagner and Alan Roden, three opening day players, to Triple-A.

Roden has been raking with the Buffalo Bisons having recorded eight hits, including one homer, while knocking in five runs in 14 at-bats.

Both Barger and Lukes provide defensive versatility and each possesses strong arms.

What will determine their long-range viability is at the plate.

Barger hit into a fielder’s choice in the sixth inning to tie the game, 3-3.

His eighth-inning single would give the Jays the lead.

With Anthony Santander nursing a shoulder issue, Myles Straw was given an opportunity and delivered with a two-out, two-strike, two-run single.

3. Pink catcher

Alejandro Kirk got a head start on Mother’s Day by donning a resplendent pink chest protector and matching pink helmet and wrist bands.

It should be noted that Mother’s Day, Día de las Madres, in Kirk’s native Mexico, is May 10.

Kudos to Kirk.

Pretty in pink might be stretching it, but Kirk has been pretty good.

He recorded the game’s first hit by sending a ball the other way for a single.

In his second at-bat, Kirk sent a liner into right field.

Then came a third hit, which Kirk also sent into right field.

It was Kirk’s second three-hit game of the season.

In the ninth, a bloop single gave Kirk his fourth hit and his first four-hit game since 2022.

Up next

Sunday’s series finale will feature Jose Urena making his second start for the Blue Jays; in his debut in Anaheim, Urena gave up four hits, including a home run in 4.1 innings; until further notice, Urena is the Jays’ No. 5 starter, but for how long will depend on how well he pitches; suffice to say his spot is far from guaranteed.