The Toronto Blue Jays are headed back to the World Series.
George Springer ripped a dramatic three-run homer in the seventh inning as the Jays beat the visiting Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Monday in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series Monday at Rogers Centre.
Springer's homer came off reliever Eduard Bazardo, with the Jays trailing 3-1. The M's, expansion cousins with the Blue Jays in 1977, have never reached the World Series. Toronto last made the Fall Classic in 1993, winning the second of back-to-back titles.
Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh both homered to pace the M's attack, while starter George Kirby pitched four innings of one-run ball. Dalton Varsho drove in Springer with the first Toronto run in the bottom of the first inning. Shane Bieber got the start for the Jays, going 3 2/3 innings and giving up seven hits and two runs.
After Bieber was pulled, Louis Varland gave up a run in 1 1/3 innings. Seranthony Dominquez and regular starters Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt then all pitched scoreless innings for the Jays. Closer Jeff Hoffman struck out the side in the ninth to earn the save.
Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was named the ALCS MVP.
Toronto will host Game 1 of the World Series Friday (5 p.m.) against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.