By Andrew Destin
SEATTLE (AP) — Eugenio Suárez delivered a decisive grand slam following Cal Raleigh’s game-tying homer in a pivotal five-run eighth inning, propelling the Seattle Mariners to a 6-2 triumph over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. This victory places the Mariners ahead 3-2 in the American League Championship Series.
Suárez also contributed with a solo home run in the second inning, marking Seattle’s initial score. With this win, the Mariners became the first team to secure a victory at home in this series, moving them just one win shy of clinching their first-ever World Series appearance since the franchise was established in 1977.
The series continues with Game 6 scheduled in Toronto on Sunday night.
“Our fans have been eagerly awaiting this opportunity, and we’re here to deliver,” Suárez expressed. “We’re battling for a spot in the World Series.”
Cal Raleigh, known for his switch-hitting prowess that led to a major league-best 60 home runs during the regular season, batted right-handed for the first time in this series. He led off the eighth inning with a powerful swing on a 2-0 changeup from losing pitcher Brendon Little.
The 348-foot drive rose 155 feet above the field on a high arc and had a 6.7-second hang time before it dropped over the left field wall at T-Mobile Park, 348 feet from the plate.
“It felt like Cal’s ball was in the air for like an hour,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said.
Raleigh’s fourth homer of the postseason tied the score 2-2.
“Obviously it was really high, so you never know in this building,” Raleigh said. “Luckily today the roof’s closed.”
Jorge Polanco and Josh Naylor walked, and Seranthony Domínguez relieved and hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch.
Suárez fouled off a 2-2 fastball, then hit an opposite-field drive to right, and the ball landed several rows into the seats for his fourth slam this season.
“Obviously, this is the biggest home run of my career,” Suárez said.
Suárez, who had put Seattle ahead in the second against Kevin Gausman, entered the game in a 6-for-50 slump. He was acquired from Arizona at the trade deadline, finished the regular season with 49 homers and has three in the playoffs.
“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” Suárez said. “It’s been a while (since) I’ve had a game like this today. It was awesome being able to hit that grand slam there to give the win to my team, to the fans. They’ve been here supporting us all year long.”
Seattle’s Bryce Miller was pitching shutout ball when he was removed after allowing Addison Barger’s leadoff single in the fifth, and George Springer hit an RBI double off Matt Brash.
Springer left in the seventh when he was hit on the right kneecap by a 95.6 mph sinker from Bryan Woo.
“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. “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.”
Pitching for the first time since Sept. 19 after recovering from pectoral tightness, Woo allowed Ernie Clement’s go-ahead single in the sixth.
Gabe Speier got the win with a perfect, nine-pitch eighth inning. Toronto wasted many chances, going 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position.
Raleigh turned only the second 2-3 grounded double into play in postseason history when Clement tapped the ball onto the plate with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning. Raleigh grabbed the ball with a foot on the plate for a forceout, then threw to first.
The prior 2-3 DP in Game 2 of the 2000 ALCS was turned by Wilson with the New York Yankees’ Bernie Williams at the plate.
“That’s what he’s done all season long, both sides of the ball,” Wilson said of Raleigh.
Up next
Rookie RHP Trey Yesavage, who started Game 2 of both the AL Division Series, will start for the Blue Jays in Game 6. The Mariners scored five runs off the 22-year-old on Monday.
