Blue Jays vs Mariners Finale Recap: Springer and Barger loom large in Seattle.

For a team that's played one close game after another, this was a much-needed release - and a long overdue reminder of how fun it is to win comfortably once in a while.

If it feels like the Blue Jays have been waiting for this for a while, well, it's true. Before Sunday, every one of their wins since April 8 had been by a margin of three runs or fewer.

That's a long time to stress over every single win, and while the bullpen has generally been up to the challenge, on Sunday they didn't have to be.

After a couple serviceable innings by starter Jose Urena, left-hander Eric Lauer stepped up with 4.2 innings of scoreless relief work, striking out five. Later, Braydon Fisher made his MLB debut with a scoreless ninth.

But the difference in this one was the offence. In the fifth inning, George Springer delivered the game's biggest hit, crushing a poorly located Bryce Miller fastball into the second deck in left field for a three-run home run that broke the game open.

There were contributions from the bottom of the order, as Nathan Lukes put together a three-hit day and Ernie Clement added two singles.

And from the No. 3 spot in the batting order, Addison Barger continued his big weekend by hitting a home run over the right field wall.

Barger also drew a walk and ripped a single, while starting in the top third of the lineup for the first time in the big-leagues.

Barger was hitting third because both Varsho and Santander were resting their shoulders.

Myles Straw as been filling in just fine on both sides of the ball when needed.

STRAWng showing on defence this weekend 💪 pic.twitter.com/RteP9db8Q6- Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 11, 2025

It was just a couple weeks ago that Varsho returned from off-season surgery on his right shoulder, while Santander hit his left shoulder while attempting a catch at Angel Stadium Thursday and hasn't played since.

With an off-day scheduled Monday, both Varsho and Santander will get an extra break before the Blue Jays host the Rays in Toronto starting Tuesday.

With a season-high four-game win streak in place, the Blue Jays are as well positioned as they have been for a while.

There's lots of work ahead, of course, and no one seeks or awards medals for playing .500 baseball, but there's a lot to be said for resting leverage relievers and building a little momentum at the plate.

On Sunday, for the first time in a while, the Blue Jays accomplished both goals.