🔗 Share this article

Toronto's Blue Jays reached their first championship series since 1993 by defeating the Mariners in the final game seven of the American League Championship Series.

Down by two runs, outfielder George Springer hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning, leading the sole Canadian team in the majors to a 4-3 win in the series. Awaiting them are the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team that is the defending champions, in the forthcoming Fall Classic.

"I'm just so happy for everyone here, the city, the nation," commented Springer, a star of the Astros team that secured the 2017 championship. "This is such an unbelievable moment."

Springer has now slugged 23 October home runs, ranking him third on the list trailing only Manny Ramirez (29) and Jose Altuve (27).

"There's probably not anyone else anywhere that I'd prefer in that spot besides Springer with his post-season brilliance," remarked Blue Jays manager John Schneider.

The Mariners, after leading the early in the series, are still the one club never to appear in a World Series.

Manager Dan Wilson stated "there's no question that it's painful" following his side's defeat at Toronto's Rogers Centre, but applauded their work this season.

"It's a special team. Unfortunately that we had to come out on the unsuccessful side of the series," he added.

Toronto secured the title on both previous visits in 1992 and '93, and will host the Dodgers in the first game on the upcoming Friday.