The Toronto Blue Jays needed a series win in the biggest way possible.

They did just that this past weekend, sweeping the Seattle Mariners for their second sweep of the season. The Jays are now on a four-game winning streak, having won the last game against the Los Angeles Angels during the week.
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On Friday, Addison Barger hit a double to score two runs in the top of the first. The Jays added three more runs in the top of the third, capped off by Nathan Lukes’ second home run of the season. Over the next four innings, the Mariners scored three times to make it a 5-3 game, but Daulton Varsho hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth to double up the Mariners for the win.
Saturday’s game ended in the same score for the Blue Jays. The Mariners took a 3-0 lead into the top of the fifth, but Bo Bichette brought the Jays to within one with his second homer of the season. Barger grounded out to score a run in the top of the sixth, and the Jays were able to score three runs in the top of the eighth thanks to singles from Barger and Straw to win 6-3.
Looking for their second sweep of the season and the first since the second series of the year, the Jays pummelled the Mariners 9-1 on Sunday. Straw singled in a run in the top of the second, but the Mariners tied it in the bottom of the third. Over the next four innings, the Jays scored eight times, with the highlights being George Springer’s fifth home run of the season and Barger’s first of the year.
Coming into this series, the Jays had lost five of their last six series, but suddenly find themselves on a four-game win streak and back at .500. Since April 29, the Jays have a 118 wRC+ and 15 home runs, ninth and tied for eighth, respectively.
The regular who stood out the most was Barger, as he slashed .462/.500/.923 with a home run and three doubles in this series. Alejandro Kirk played in two games, registering four singles and a double in seven plate appearances for a .714 batting average. He was taken out of Sunday’s game after being hit in the head by a backswing.
Bichette, Nathan Lukes, Ernie Clement, and George Springer all had strong series, posting a wRC+ above 156 or higher. All those players except for Clement hit a home run, while each of them played in all three games. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also played in all three games, but slashed .167/.33/.167 for a 65 wRC+, not his best series. Daulton Varsho hit a sacrifice fly to score an important insurance run, but he failed to get a hit in this series.
A big reason for the Jays’ sweep was thanks to strong performances out of the bullpen. The Jays used seven relievers in the series, and none of them gave up an earned run. Yimi Garcia loaded the bases with no outs, but escaped from it thanks to two strikeouts. Jeff Hoffman returned to his usual dominant self, pitching two innings.
Their lefties had a strong series as well. Eric Lauer piggybacked off Jose Urena, throwing four and two-thirds scoreless innings. Mason Fluharty pitched an inning and a third, striking out two, while Little struck out half the batters he saw. If the Jays wish to make the postseason, the bullpen has to be nails.
Making starts in this series were Urena, Bowden Francis, and Kevin Gausman. Francis pitched six and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs and striking out five in the quality start. Gausman gave up three earned runs in his five and one-third innings pitched. Urena only got six outs while facing nine batters, giving up a home run on his final pitch. It was good enough for the win.
The Jays return home, which means no more late games. Starting Tuesday, the Jays host the Tampa Bay Rays for a three-game series, the first time the two American League East teams have played this season.
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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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The Toronto Blue Jays needed a series win in the biggest way possible.



They did just that this past weekend, sweeping the Seattle Mariners for their second sweep of the season. The Jays are now on a four-game winning streak, having won the last game against the Los Angeles Angels during the week.
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On Friday, Addison Barger hit a double to score two runs in the top of the first. The Jays added three more runs in the top of the third, capped off by Nathan Lukes’ second home run of the season. Over the next four innings, the Mariners scored three times to make it a 5-3 game, but Daulton Varsho hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth to double up the Mariners for the win.

Saturday’s game ended in the same score for the Blue Jays. The Mariners took a 3-0 lead into the top of the fifth, but Bo Bichette brought the Jays to within one with his second homer of the season. Barger grounded out to score a run in the top of the sixth, and the Jays were able to score three runs in the top of the eighth thanks to singles from Barger and Straw to win 6-3.

Looking for their second sweep of the season and the first since the second series of the year, the Jays pummelled the Mariners 9-1 on Sunday. Straw singled in a run in the top of the second, but the Mariners tied it in the bottom of the third. Over the next four innings, the Jays scored eight times, with the highlights being George Springer’s fifth home run of the season and Barger’s first of the year.

Coming into this series, the Jays had lost five of their last six series, but suddenly find themselves on a four-game win streak and back at .500. Since April 29, the Jays have a 118 wRC+ and 15 home runs, ninth and tied for eighth, respectively.

The regular who stood out the most was Barger, as he slashed .462/.500/.923 with a home run and three doubles in this series. Alejandro Kirk played in two games, registering four singles and a double in seven plate appearances for a .714 batting average. He was taken out of Sunday’s game after being hit in the head by a backswing.

Bichette, Nathan Lukes, Ernie Clement, and George Springer all had strong series, posting a wRC+ above 156 or higher. All those players except for Clement hit a home run, while each of them played in all three games. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also played in all three games, but slashed .167/.33/.167 for a 65 wRC+, not his best series. Daulton Varsho hit a sacrifice fly to score an important insurance run, but he failed to get a hit in this series.

A big reason for the Jays’ sweep was thanks to strong performances out of the bullpen. The Jays used seven relievers in the series, and none of them gave up an earned run. Yimi Garcia loaded the bases with no outs, but escaped from it thanks to two strikeouts. Jeff Hoffman returned to his usual dominant self, pitching two innings.

Their lefties had a strong series as well. Eric Lauer piggybacked off Jose Urena, throwing four and two-thirds scoreless innings. Mason Fluharty pitched an inning and a third, striking out two, while Little struck out half the batters he saw. If the Jays wish to make the postseason, the bullpen has to be nails.

Making starts in this series were Urena, Bowden Francis, and Kevin Gausman. Francis pitched six and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs and striking out five in the quality start. Gausman gave up three earned runs in his five and one-third innings pitched. Urena only got six outs while facing nine batters, giving up a home run on his final pitch. It was good enough for the win.

The Jays return home, which means no more late games. Starting Tuesday, the Jays host the Tampa Bay Rays for a three-game series, the first time the two American League East teams have played this season.

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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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Blue Jays series recap: Jays take all three against Mariners

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