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Instant Reaction: Blue Jays win low-scoring series opener against Mariners
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Photo credit: © Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jul 4, 2026, 09:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 4, 2026, 11:30 EDT
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That’s a good way to start a road trip.
On Friday evening, the Toronto Blue Jays played the Seattle Mariners to kick off a nine-game road trip. It was another low-scoring affair, but the Blue Jays picked up a 2-0 victory to move to 42-26 record this season. Let’s take a look at what went on in this one!
Dylan Cease started Friday evening’s game, striking out the side in order in the bottom of the first. After two scoreless innings, the Blue Jays finally broke through. Sean Keys hit a lead-off double, then was driven in by Andrés Giménez’ 14th double of the season.
Nathan Lukes hit a sacrifice bunt to move Giménez to third, and up came Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to the plate. The last time the Blue Jays’ first baseman faced the Mariners, he ended up taking home the American League Championship Series MVP. In this plate appearance, he drove in the second and final run of the game.
The top of the fourth saw the Blue Jays have an opportunity to extend their lead, as Keys hit his first career double, followed by a Giménez walk. However, Lukes grounded out to end the inning. They had three more base runners for the remainder of the game, with none managing to get past first. Thankfully, the Blue Jays pitching was terrific as they held on to win 2-0.
While it wasn’t pretty, a win is still a win, and the Blue Jays are now four games behind .500, winning three of their last four games since snapping the six-game losing streak.

Takeaways…

The Blue Jays won this game thanks to clutch pitching. Three of Dylan Cease’s nine strikeouts came in the first inning, and he went seven scoreless innings surrendering just three hits and a walk. It was one of his most efficient starts this season, throwing just 102 pitches.
Their bullpen locked it up from there. Jeff Hoffman entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, getting a lead-off ground ball out. After walking Victor Robles, Hoffman struck out Colt Emerson and J.P. Crawford, both swinging, to get out of it.
Then Louis Varland entered the game in his 18th save opportunity. The lead-off hitter grounded out again, but Dominc Canzone hit a single to bring the tying run to the plate. That was no issue for Varland, who struck out Cal Raleigh then got Josh Naylor to ground out as well.
After hitting his first career home run on Wednesday afternoon, Sean Keys hit his first career double, as well as a single. He scored the game winning and had four great at-bats, hitting a deep fly ball in his third AB, then forcing the pitcher to throw nine pitches in his final AB. 
Andrés Giménez hit two home runs when the Blue Jays visited the Pacific Coast last ALCS. While he didn’t hit a home run in this game, the shortstop drove in a run with a double and also walked. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in the Blue Jays’ other run.
The Jays have a chance to win the series on Saturday afternoon, as the middle game has a 4:10 PM ET start time due to it being Independence Day in the United States. Shane Bieber makes his third start of the season for the Blue Jays, while Logan Gilbert gets the ball for the Mariners.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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