Saskatchewan fans roar as Blue Jays beat Mariners to force Game 7 in ALCS

Blue Jays fever swept through Boston Pizza in Regina on Sunday night as dozens of fans packed into the restaurant and bar to watch Toronto push its playoff run to the brink.

The Jays beat the Seattle Mariners 6-2 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, tying the best-of-seven series 3-3 and setting up a decisive Game 7 for Monday night, with a trip to the World Series on the line.

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For long-time Blue Jays fan Shanda Lietke, the night was about more than baseball. She said it was a reminder of family and the memories that built her love of the game.

“I grew up watching the Jays,” Lietke said.

She said she remembers watching the Jays playing in 1992 and 1993, when they won the World Series in back-to-back years.

A woman wearing a red Blue Jays hoodie smiles at her table inside Boston Pizza in Regina during the playoff watch party.

Long-time Blue Jays fan Shanda Lietke says Toronto’s playoff run brings back memories of watching the ’92 and ’93 World Series teams with her grandmother. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)

“It kind of makes me nostalgic for my grandma,” Lietke said. “I have this golden box of cards from the ‘92 team she gave me. It’s beautiful. To think they might get back there again, it’s wild.”

At the bar, optimism was flowing just as freely as the pints. Chris Belanger, who’s been a Jays fan for more than 20 years, said he’s convinced Toronto will finish the job this year.

“We’re winning the World Series,” he said confidently.

“I’ve never seen one of my teams win, well, besides the Raptors, so it’d be pretty great actually seeing them lift that trophy. Might even go streaking.”

The crowd roared every time Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stepped up to the plate on Sunday. Guerrero’s fifth-inning solo home run helped power Toronto’s win, while starter Trey Yesavage struck out seven batters and navigated his way out of two loaded-bases jams. The victory kept the Jays alive and sent fans in Regina into celebration mode.

One of the fans cheering the win was Reese Drydale, who’s followed every game in the series from Boston Pizza’s Rochdale location. He said Sunday’s win was sweet after an emotional roller coaster.

A man in a grey shirt smiles while watching the Blue Jays game inside Boston Pizza in Regina during the ALCS Game 6 watch party.

Reese Drydale watched the Blue Jays force a Game 7 during Sunday night’s playoff watch party at Boston Pizza in Regina. He said he’s watched every game in the series from his usual spot in the bar, and promised he’ll be back in the same spot on Monday night. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)

“Game 1, I was ticked off. Close game. Game 2, I was mad; 13 to four for Seattle,” Drydale laughed. “Then Game 3 and 4, we got it. Game 5 looked rough, but Game 6, hey, the fat lady hasn’t sung yet. Guerrero Jr. did his stuff. Can’t go wrong with that.”

Drydale said he’ll be back in the same spot on Monday night.

“All of Canada’s behind them for Game 7,” he said. “It’d be totally mind blowing if they win – one Canadian team beating all of America.”

For fans young and old, Toronto’s playoff run has become a national moment, shared in bars, restaurants and living rooms across the country.

If the Jays can pull off one more win, it would mark their first World Series appearance in more than 30 years, reviving the glory days of 1992 and 1993 for a new generation.