SEATTLE (Interstat) — In a commanding performance that shifted the momentum of their American League playoff series, the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Seattle Mariners 8-2 on Thursday night at a sold-out T-Mobile Park, knotting the best-of-seven matchup at two games apiece.

A crowd of 46,981 watched as the Blue Jays, powered by a four-RBI night from shortstop Andrés Giménez and a strong start from veteran right-hander Max Scherzer, methodically built their lead and silenced the Seattle offense for the second consecutive game. The victory, which took 2 hours and 54 minutes, ensures the series will return to Toronto for at least a sixth game.

The Mariners struck first, taking an early lead in the bottom of the second inning. Josh Naylor, who was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, launched a solo home run to center field off Scherzer, giving the home team a brief 1-0 advantage. It was one of the few blemishes on an otherwise stellar outing for the Toronto starter.

The Blue Jays’ offense, which had been held in check by Seattle starter Luis Castillo through the first two frames, erupted in the third inning to seize control of the game. Isiah Kiner-Falefa led off with a double to left field. Giménez then stepped to the plate and delivered the pivotal blow of the game, lining a two-run homer to right field to put Toronto ahead 2-1.

The rally was far from over. Nathan Lukes and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with consecutive singles, and Alejandro Kirk worked a walk to load the bases. Castillo, struggling with his command, then walked Daulton Varsho on five pitches, forcing in Lukes from third to extend the lead to 3-1 and end Castillo’s night. The Mariners’ ace was charged with the loss, falling to 12-9 on the season.

Toronto continued to apply pressure in the fourth inning. Kiner-Falefa led off with a single and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Giménez. George Springer then drove him in with a line-drive double to left field, pushing the Blue Jays’ lead to 4-1.

Scherzer, meanwhile, settled in after Naylor’s homer. The winning pitcher, who improved to 6-5, navigated through traffic, including a first-inning jam where he issued two walks but induced an inning-ending double play from Jorge Polanco. He worked 5 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out five. He effectively limited the damage, handing the ball to a reliable bullpen with a lead.

Seattle managed to scrape across another run in the bottom of the sixth to chase Scherzer. After a walk to Polanco and another to Naylor, Eugenio Suárez singled to right field, scoring Polanco. Naylor, however, was thrown out at third on a strong relay from right fielder Addison Barger to third baseman Ernie Clement, halting the potential rally and keeping the score at 5-2.

The Blue Jays immediately answered in the top of the seventh. Guerrero Jr. provided a solo exclamation point, crushing a solo home run to right-center field off reliever Eduard Bazardo to restore the four-run cushion at 6-2.

Toronto put the game out of reach with a two-run eighth inning. Ernie Clement led off with a single and was replaced by pinch-runner Myles Straw. After a walk to Barger, Kiner-Falefa executed a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Giménez then delivered the final knockout punch, lacing a two-run single back up the middle, deflected by pitcher Emerson Hancock, to score both Straw and Clement and cap the scoring at 8-2.

From there, the Toronto bullpen was flawless. Jeff Hoffman, Louis Varland and Seranthony Domínguez combined for 3 1/3 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief, striking out three Mariners to seal the victory. Matt Brash provided a bright spot for Seattle’s bullpen with 1 1/3 perfect innings of his own.

The result sets up a pivotal Game 5 in Seattle on Friday. The series is now a best-of-three, with the final two games scheduled for Toronto’s Rogers Centre beginning Sunday. The Blue Jays improved their season record to 99-71 with the win, while the Mariners fell to 95-76. The game’s final combined score of 10 runs fell under the pregame over/under line of 7.5, and the Blue Jays’ victory defied the pregame projections that favored the Mariners.