Cal Raleigh Hits Home Run as Seattle Mariners Overpower Blue Jays in Long-Awaited Comeback to AL Championship Series
Cal Raleigh homered, Jorge Polanco delivered the winning run with a sixth frame single, and the Mariners beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Sunday evening as they made their return to the ALCS for the first time in 24 years.
Pitching Dominance on Show
George Springer homered on the first pitch from Bryce Miller, who then escaped a two-on jam in a 27-pitch opening frame. Anthony Santander hit a single in the second inning for the Blue Jays' sole additional hit, and Seattle pitchers retired 23 out of the final 24 Toronto hitters. Miller, Gabe Speier, Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz joined forces to throw just 100 deliveries under two days after the Mariners needed 209 pitches to outlast Detroit over 15 frames.
Key Offensive Moments
Raleigh, who led the major leagues with 60 homers, tied the score in the sixth inning with his ninth home run in 14 games at the Toronto ballpark. Kevin Gausman had held batters to 0 for 16 on splitters in the playoffs before the homer by Raleigh.
Polanco delivered a go-ahead base hit subsequently in the frame and contributed an RBI single in the eighth inning.
“We’re a tough team, you know, from top to bottom,” Raleigh said. “Our pitchers performed today, extremely impressive. They were outstanding. Particularly on short rest and how many pitches they threw the previous game.”
AL West champion Seattle journeyed to AL East winner Toronto on the prior day after a 3-2 home victory over the Tigers to win the Division Series in the most extended decisive contest in Major League Baseball history.
Historic Accomplishments
The Mariners, the only MLB team to not have hosted a Fall Classic game, held Toronto to two hits after the Toronto squad had 50 hits and 34 runs in their four-game playoff series against the Yankees. Miller, who earned the win, fanned three and issued three walks in six innings, throwing 72 deliveries. The three relievers each had 1-2-3 innings, with Muñoz getting the save.
“This will be a fiercely contested series, man,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider commented. “These guys will be ready for it.”
Springer’s 21st postseason home run ended a tie with the Yankees’ Derek Jeter, placing him alone in fifth position on the career list. Raleigh’s homer was his fourth in 15 appearances against Gausman, who took the loss.
Polanco, the hero of Friday's game, hit a single off Brendon Little to bring home Julio Rodríguez, who was walked by the pitcher. Polanco added another RBI single against Domínguez.
Notable Contest Moments
Eugenio Suárez doubled off the top of the right-field wall in the seventh inning against Varland. The 395-foot drive would have been a homer in half of MLB stadiums, including Seattle.
Blue Jays outfielder Nathan Lukes exited in the fourth. Lukes sustained a right knee bruise when he fouled a ball into his knee in the first inning.
