Cal Raleigh homered, Jorge Polanco drove in the decisive run with a sixth frame single, and the Mariners overcame the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 Sunday night as they made their return to the AL Championship Series for the first time in 24 years.
Pitching Mastery on Show
George Springer launched a homer on the opening delivery from Miller, who then got out of a bases-threatening situation in a 27-pitch first inning. Anthony Santander singled in the second for the Blue Jays' only other hit, and Seattle pitchers set down 23 of the Blue Jays’ final 24 batters. Miller, Gabe Speier, Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz joined forces to throw just 100 pitches less than 48 hours after the Mariners needed 209 throws to outplay the Tigers over 15 frames.
Crucial Offensive Moments
Raleigh, the major league home run leader with 60, tied the score in the sixth inning with his ninth home run in 14 appearances at Rogers Centre. Kevin Gausman had previously kept batters hitless on splitters in the playoffs before the home run by the catcher.
Polanco delivered a go-ahead base hit subsequently in the frame and contributed an run-scoring single in the eighth inning.
“We are a resilient squad, you know, one through nine,” Raleigh said. “Pitchers came out today, extremely impressive. They were outstanding. Especially short rest and the high pitch count the other day.”
Seattle, the AL West titleholder traveled to AL East winner Toronto on the prior day after a 3-2 home victory over the Detroit Tigers to win the Division Series in the longest winner-take-all game in MLB history.
Record Achievements
The Mariners, the sole MLB franchise to never host a Fall Classic game, limited Toronto to just two hits after the Blue Jays had 50 hits along with 34 runs in their four-game Division Series against the New York Yankees. Miller, who earned the win, struck out three and walked three in six frames, throwing 72 pitches. The three relievers each had perfect innings, with Muñoz securing the save.
“This is going to be a hard-fought series, man,” 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, placing him alone in fifth position on the all-time list. Raleigh's home run was his fourth in 15 at-bats against Kevin Gausman, who suffered the defeat.
Polanco, the hero of Friday's game, singled against Brendon Little to bring home Rodríguez, who was walked by Gausman. Polanco later added another run-scoring hit against Seranthony Domínguez.
Memorable Game Moments
Eugenio Suárez hit a double off the top of the right-field wall in the seventh inning against Varland. The 395-foot drive would have been a homer in 15 of 30 big league ballparks, including Seattle.
Blue Jays outfielder Nathan Lukes left in the fourth inning. Lukes sustained a right knee bruise when he fouled a pitch off it in the opening frame.
