Cal Raleigh Homers as Mariners Defeat Toronto Blue Jays in Long-Awaited Return to AL Championship Series
Cal Raleigh homered, Jorge Polanco delivered the go-ahead run with a sixth-inning single, and the Mariners overcame the Blue Jays 3-1 Sunday night as they made their return to the ALCS for the initial occasion in two dozen years.
Pitching Mastery on Show
George Springer launched a homer on the first pitch from Bryce Miller, who then escaped a bases-threatening situation in a 27-pitch opening frame. Anthony Santander singled in the second inning for the Blue Jays' sole additional hit, and Seattle pitchers set down 23 of the Blue Jays’ final 24 batters. The pitching quartet joined forces to throw just 100 pitches less than 48 hours after the Mariners needed 209 throws to outplay the Tigers over 15 innings.
Crucial Batting Moments
Raleigh, the major league home run leader with 60, evened the game in the sixth inning with his ninth homer in 14 games at Rogers Centre. 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 run-scoring single in the eighth inning.
“We are a resilient squad, as you know, one through nine,” Raleigh said. “Pitchers came out today, really, really impressed us. They were outstanding. Particularly on short rest and how many pitches they threw the other day.”
AL West champion Seattle journeyed to AL East winner Toronto on Saturday after a 3-2 win at home over the Tigers to claim the Division Series in the longest winner-take-all game in MLB history.
Historic Achievements
Seattle, the sole MLB franchise to never host a World Series game, limited Toronto to just two hits after the Toronto squad had 50 hits and 34 runs in their four-game playoff series against the Yankees. Miller, the winner, fanned three and issued three walks in six innings, throwing 72 pitches. The bullpen trio each had 1-2-3 innings, with Muñoz securing the save.
“This is going to be a hard-fought series, man,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “Our team will be prepared for it.”
Springer's 21st playoff homer broke a tie with the Derek Jeter of the Yankees, 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 took the loss.
Polanco, the hero of Friday's game, singled against Brendon Little to drive in Rodríguez, who was walked by the pitcher. Polanco added another RBI single against Domínguez.
Notable Contest Highlights
Eugenio Suárez hit a double off the top of the right-field wall in the seventh inning against Varland. The 395-foot hit would have been a home run in 15 of 30 big league ballparks, including Seattle.
Toronto outfielder Nathan Lukes exited in the fourth. Lukes sustained a right knee bruise when he fouled a pitch off it in the opening frame.
