Blue Jays' Addison Barger aims for encore vs. Mariners

One might say Addison Barger got a triple-double.

Barger hit three doubles and drove in two runs in a homecoming of sorts as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the host Seattle Mariners 6-3 Friday night.

The three-game series is scheduled to continue Saturday night.

Barger also robbed the Mariners' Julio Rodriguez of an extra-base hit with a leaping catch of a 111-mph liner down the third-base line in the third inning to thwart a Seattle comeback from a 5-0 deficit.

Barger was born in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue, Wash., and lived in the area until the age of 6, when his family moved to Florida. He idolized Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who will be inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame this summer.

Barger made his major-league debut last season, batting .197 over 69 games.

But he showed flashes of potential.

"He swings the bat fast. He hits the ball hard. He can throw the ball hard," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said of Barger. "There are a lot of things that should add up to success at this level. It's a matter of getting consistent reps and trusting his ability, really."

Barger's doubles Friday were hit at 109.7, 113.4 and 116.5 mph.

On defense, he retired Seattle's Dylan Moore with a 94.9 mph throw to first base.

With Blue Jays second baseman Andres Gimenez going on the injured list Friday with a quad strain, Ernie Clement likely will get the majority of the playing time there, giving Barger a chance to be in the lineup at third.

"When he's playing regularly, that's when he's at his best," Schneider said. "Addie needs to play. Hopefully he can get rolling here. He hits the ball as hard as anyone. He's as talented as anyone. This is a big shot for him."

For his part, Barger wants to keep "just chilling out" and not putting too much pressure on himself.

"Just trying to convince yourself that you don't care that much," is the way he put it.

The American League West-leading Mariners, who are going after a 10th consecutive series victory, appeared like they might rally from a five-run deficit for a second consecutive game.

They pulled within 5-3 and loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth inning but failed to score.

The Blue Jays made several sterling defensive plays, as center fielder Daulton Varsho robbed Seattle's Ben Williamson of a home run and shortstop Bo Bichette made a pair of leaping catches.

"Another outstanding effort by guys trying to come back" Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. "Hit a lot of balls on the screws right at somebody. We gave ourselves some opportunities and it didn't work out. Just got to come out (Saturday) and get ‘em."

Saturday's game is set to feature a pair of right-handers in Toronto's Bowden Francis (2-5, 5.66 ERA) and Seattle rookie Logan Evans (1-1, 7.20).

Francis beat the Mariners 3-1 on April 18 in Toronto when he gave up one run on five hits over six innings, with five strikeouts.

Evans will be making his third career start. He defeated the visiting Miami Marlins in his major-league debut on April 27 before getting tagged for six runs on 11 hits over five innings on Sunday in an 8-1 loss at Texas against the Rangers.

--Field Level Media