Cal Raleigh homered, Jorge Polanco drove in the go-ahead run with a sixth-inning single, and the Mariners overcame the Blue Jays 3-1 on Sunday evening as they returned to the ALCS for the first time in 24 years.
Defensive Dominance on Show
George Springer homered on the first pitch from Bryce Miller, who then got out of a two-on jam in a 27-pitch first inning. Anthony Santander singled in the second inning for Toronto’s sole additional hit, and Mariners pitchers retired 23 of the Blue Jays’ final 24 batters. Miller, Gabe Speier, Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz combined to throw just 100 deliveries less than 48 hours after the Seattle team needed 209 throws to outlast Detroit over 15 innings.
Crucial Offensive Plays
Raleigh, who led the major leagues with 60 homers, tied the score in the sixth 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 postseason before the homer by the catcher.
Polanco hit a go-ahead single later in the inning and added an RBI single in the eighth.
“We are a resilient squad, as you know, from top to bottom,” Raleigh stated. “Our pitchers performed today, extremely impressive. They did awesome. Especially short rest and the high pitch count the other day.”
AL West champion Seattle journeyed to Toronto, the AL East champion on the prior day after a 3-2 win at home over the Tigers to win the Division Series in the longest winner-take-all game in MLB history.
Historic Accomplishments
The Mariners, the only MLB team to never host a World Series game, limited Toronto to just two hits after the Blue Jays had 50 hits along with 34 runs in their four-game playoff series against the New York Yankees. Miller, the winner, struck out three and walked three in six frames, throwing 72 pitches. The bullpen trio each had perfect innings, with Muñoz getting the save.
“This is going to be a hard-fought series, for sure,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “These guys will be ready for it.”
Springer's 21st playoff homer ended a tie with the Derek Jeter of the Yankees, moving him into sole possession of fifth place on the all-time 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 Rodríguez, who was walked by the pitcher. Polanco later added another run-scoring hit against Seranthony Domínguez.
Notable Contest Moments
Eugenio Suárez doubled against the top of the right-field fence in the seventh inning against Louis Varland. The 395-foot drive would have been a homer in 15 of 30 big league ballparks, including Seattle.
Toronto outfielder Nathan Lukes left in the fourth inning. Lukes bruised his right knee when he fouled a ball into his knee in the opening frame.
