‘These guys got back for real’: U.S. media reacts to Toronto Blue Jays ALCS Game 3 rebound

The Toronto Blue Jays bounced back in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) Wednesday night, with a statement 13-4 win over the Seattle Mariners.

Toronto’s bats showed up in a big way after a slow start in Games 1 and 2. The Jays hit five home runs and notched 18 hits—tying a franchise franchise playoff record set in 1993—to cut the series deficit 2-1.

Alejandro Kirk hit a three-run dinger, Andres Gimenez had a two-run homer while Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer and Addison Barger all went yard on solo shots in Seattle.

• RECAP: Blue Jays beat Mariners 13-4, cut ALCS deficit to 2-1

The Jays will look to even the series tonight as they return to T-Mobile Park.

Here’s what some U.S. media are saying about the come-from-behind win:

‘The Toronto Blue Jays remind me of that series against New York’

David “Big Papi” Ortiz celebrated the Jays win Wednesday night on the MLB on Fox panel, as he recalled the 2004 ALCS between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.

“My God, those Toronto Blue Jays remind of that series against New York,” he said. Ortiz, who won three World Series in Boston, and his co-panelists, Yankees greats Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, all played in the series that saw New York win the first three games, before Boston came back to win four games in a row.

“Bro, these guys got back for real! Look at my boy Vladdy. He took it personal today. I had a feeling he was going to go off,” Ortiz said.

Before Game 3, Guerrero had not registered a hit in the series against the Mariners.

‘The bad news: The Blue Jays showed who they really are in Game 3 of the ALCS’

The Seattle Times wrote that the Game 3 result served as a “reminder” for the Mariners that reaching the World Series “isn’t easy.”

“The bad news: The Blue Jays showed who they really are in Game 3 of the ALCS. The good news: The Mariners have proven they can withstand plenty,” wrote columnist Mike Vorel.

The Mariners are the only MLB team to never reach the World Series.

Andrés Giménez’s two-run home run may have changed the series: Jon Morosi         

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi said that Andrés Giménez’s game-tying, two-run dinger in the third inning changed the game Wednesday night—and “possibly” the series.

“(He) ties it up and changes the feel of things for the Toronto Blue Jays in this American League Championship Series,” he said.

Morosi went on to compliment Giménez’s defensive efforts since he took up the shortstop position following Bo Bichette’s injury in September.

‘I hope we go viral again’

Guerrero spoke to Ortiz on the MLB on Fox broadcast following the game, and said “I hope we go viral again,” referring to the interaction they had following the Jays ALDS win over the Yankees.

“It’s one day at a time, Papi. One day at a time and one game at a time,” Guerrero said.

Vladdy’s impression of Ortiz’s infamous catchphrase—“Daaaa Yankees lose”— has been viewed over 18 million times since the Jays took New York 3-1 in the division series.

‘The man can flat-out play’: Bill Ripken speaks on Alejandro Kirk

Former major leaguer Bill Ripken praised Alejandro Kirk’s abilities in last night’s game, but also throughout the post-season so far.

“I think he understands how to play, he understands himself. And, he doesn’t try to do too much. He takes what they give him. The man can flat-out play,” Ripken said on the MLB Network.

Shane Bieber ‘as good as I’ve seen him’: Jake Peavy

Despite giving up an early two-run home run to Julio Rodriguez in the first inning, Shane Bieber made some adjustments and walked off the mound with eight strikeouts.

Former pitcher and Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy praised Bieber’s efforts and said the Blue Jay who was added to the lineup before the trade deadline was “as good as I’ve seen him.”

“This, right here tonight, was as big of a start as Shane Bieber’s had, with his back against the wall,” Peavy said on the MLB Network panel.