SEATTLE -- Toronto's George Springer, one of the most prolific hitters in postseason history, left Friday's Game 5 of the American League Championship Series after getting hit by a pitch on his right kneecap in the top of the seventh inning.
Springer, the Blue Jays' designated hitter, was on the ground for a couple of minutes after Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo hit him with a 1-1 sinker.
"He's got a right knee contusion. He had X-rays, which were negative, which is a good thing," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said after his team's 6-2 loss. "George is about as tough as they come. I think he'll have to really, really be hurting to not be in the lineup on Sunday."
Springer, who has been booed all series by Mariners fans, was booed again as he limped to first base, where Joey Loperfido replaced him as the pinch runner.
"I think the fans that were booing him should take a look in the mirror and understand what kind of player he is," Schneider said. "And -- I'll stop there because when a guy gets hit in the knee and is in obvious pain and you have 40,000 people cheering, not the right thing to do."
Earlier in the game, Springer hit an RBI double off Matt Brash that tied the score. It was Springer's 42nd career extra-base hit in the postseason, breaking a tie with David Ortiz for fifth all time.
It was his sixth consecutive game with an extra-base hit in the playoffs, one from tying the record shared by Bryce Harper (2022), Carlos Beltran (2004) and Devon White (1993).
The Blue Jays trail the Mariners 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is Sunday.
