Raleigh Homers as Seattle Mariners Defeat Toronto Blue Jays in Long-Awaited Comeback to AL Championship Series
Cal Raleigh blasted a home run, Jorge Polanco delivered the winning run with a sixth frame single, and the Mariners beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 Sunday night as they returned to the ALCS for the initial occasion in two dozen years.
Defensive Dominance on Display
George Springer homered on the opening delivery from Miller, who then got out of a two-on jam in a 27-delivery first inning. Anthony Santander hit a single in the second inning for Toronto’s only other hit, and Seattle pitchers set down 23 out of the final 24 Toronto hitters. Miller, Gabe Speier, Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz joined forces to throw just 100 deliveries less than 48 hours after the Seattle team needed 209 pitches to outplay the Tigers over 15 innings.
Key Offensive Moments
Raleigh, the major league home run leader with 60, evened the game in the sixth inning with his ninth home run in 14 appearances at the Toronto ballpark. Kevin Gausman had held batters to 0 for 16 on splitters in the playoffs before the home run by the catcher.
Polanco delivered a go-ahead base hit later in the inning and added an run-scoring single in the eighth inning.
“We are a resilient squad, you know, one through nine,” Raleigh said. “Our pitchers performed today, extremely impressive. They did awesome. Particularly on short rest and the high pitch count the other day.”
Seattle, the AL West titleholder traveled to AL East winner Toronto on Saturday after a 3-2 home victory over the Tigers to claim the Division Series in the most extended decisive contest in MLB history.
Historic Achievements
The Mariners, the only MLB team to not have hosted a World Series game, limited Toronto to just two hits after the Toronto squad had 50 hits and 34 runs in their four-game Division Series against the Yankees. Miller, the winner, fanned three and issued three walks in six innings, throwing 72 deliveries. 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 postseason home run broke a tie with the Yankees’ Derek Jeter, moving him into sole possession of fifth place on the career list. Raleigh's home run was his fourth in 15 at-bats against Gausman, who suffered the defeat.
Polanco, the hero of Friday's game, singled against Brendon Little to bring home Rodríguez, who was issued a walk by the pitcher. Polanco added another RBI single against Domínguez.
Memorable Game Highlights
Eugenio Suárez hit a double against the top of the right-field fence in the seventh inning against Louis Varland. The 395-foot drive would have been a home run in 15 of 30 big league ballparks, Seattle’s field included.
Toronto outfielder Nathan Lukes left in the fourth inning. Lukes bruised his right knee when he fouled a pitch off it in the opening frame.
