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David Schoenfield
SEATTLE — Following being struck by a delivery on his right kneecap during the seventh inning, Toronto’s George Springer, a historically significant postseason batter, was forced to leave Friday’s Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.
Springer, acting as the Blue Jays’ designated hitter, remained on the ground for a short duration after Seattle Mariners right-handed pitcher Bryan Woo’s 1-1 sinker connected with him.
“He is experiencing a contusion on his right knee. Initial X-ray results returned negative, which is a positive sign,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider stated following his team’s 6-2 defeat. “George possesses remarkable toughness. I suspect it would take significant discomfort to prevent him from participating in the lineup on Sunday.”
Throughout the series, Springer has faced jeers from Mariners supporters; these jeers continued as he gingerly made his way to first base, where Joey Loperfido substituted him as a pinch runner.
“I believe that those supporters who jeered him should reflect on their actions and recognize the caliber of player he is,” Schneider commented. “I’ll stop there, because when an individual is struck in the knee, visibly in pain, and is met with cheers from a crowd of 40,000, it is simply inappropriate.”
Earlier in the contest, Springer achieved an RBI double off Matt Brash, leveling the score. This marked Springer’s 42nd extra-base hit in his postseason career, surpassing David Ortiz and securing fifth place in the all-time standings.
This was his sixth straight game logging an extra-base hit throughout the playoffs, placing him one game away from tying the record shared by Bryce Harper (2022), Carlos Beltran (2004), and Devon White (1993).
The Blue Jays now trail the Mariners 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is scheduled for Sunday.
