SEATTLE (Interstat) — Facing elimination and a hostile crowd, the Toronto Blue Jays’ offense erupted for 18 hits in a 13-4 rout of the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night at T-Mobile Park, staving off a sweep in Game 3 of their American League playoff series.

Despite the lopsided victory, the Mariners still hold a two-games-to-one lead in the best-of-five series. A crowd of 46,471 watched as the Blue Jays battered Seattle pitching, turning a close game into a blowout with a relentless attack.

The Mariners struck first, taking an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. After a walk to Randy Arozarena, Julio Rodríguez launched a two-run homer to left field off Toronto starter Shane Bieber.

That early advantage was short-lived. The Blue Jays responded with a five-run outburst in the third inning to seize control. Andrés Giménez ignited the rally with a two-run homer to right-center field, scoring Ernie Clement. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Daulton Varsho lined a two-run double to right field, and the Jays never looked back.

Toronto added a run in the fourth on a solo home run by George Springer and two more in the fifth, one coming on a solo shot from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The game was put completely out of reach in the sixth when Alejandro Kirk blasted a three-run homer to right field, capping a four-run inning that extended the lead to 12-2.

Seattle managed a pair of solo home runs from Arozarena and Cal Raleigh in the eighth inning, but it was far too little, too late. Addison Barger added a final exclamation point for Toronto with a solo homer in the ninth.

The win went to Shane Bieber, who delivered a crucial performance for the Blue Jays. The winning pitcher allowed two runs on four hits over six strong innings, striking out eight. The loss was charged to Seattle starter George Kirby, who was roughed up for eight runs on ten hits in five innings of work.

Guerrero Jr. led Toronto’s offensive onslaught, going a perfect 4 for 4 with a home run, a double and a walk. Kirk drove in three runs, while Giménez and Varsho each added two RBIs. Every starter in the Toronto lineup recorded at least one hit.

The game time was 2 hours, 49 minutes. The combined 17 runs fell well below the pregame over/under line of 6.5, a testament to the unexpected offensive explosion.

The Blue Jays, who now hold a season record of 98-71, will look to even the series in Game 4 on Thursday in Seattle. The Mariners, now 95-75, will attempt to clinch a series victory and advance to the next round.