TORONTO -- Julio Rodríguez authored another epic October moment on Monday afternoon and gave the Mariners a tone-setting lead early in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series.

Seattle’s star center fielder ambushed Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage with a three-run homer in the first inning, connecting on a 1-2 splitter that was way up in the zone and sending it directly down the left-field line and narrowly inside the foul pole.

The big blast came just after Randy Arozarena drew a hit-by-pitch and Cal Raleigh walked, both in full counts, to put Toronto’s rookie on high alert -- especially with the Mariners having the chance to take a commanding 2-0 series lead before this best-of-seven shifts to Seattle.

Teams that scored first in these playoffs have a .567 win perce

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