Cal Raleigh Homers as Seattle Mariners Stifle Blue Jays in Long-Awaited Comeback to ALCS
Cal Raleigh blasted a home run, Jorge Polanco delivered the go-ahead run with a sixth-inning single, and the Mariners beat the Blue Jays 3-1 Sunday night as they returned to the AL Championship Series for the first time in 24 years.
Defensive Dominance on Display
George Springer launched a homer on the first pitch from Miller, who then got out of a bases-threatening situation in a 27-delivery opening frame. Anthony Santander singled in the second inning for Toronto’s sole additional hit, and Seattle pitchers retired 23 out of the final 24 Toronto hitters. The pitching quartet joined forces to throw just 100 deliveries under two days after the Seattle team needed 209 throws to outlast Detroit over 15 innings.
Crucial Batting Moments
Raleigh, who led the major leagues with 60 homers, evened the game in the sixth inning with his ninth homer in 14 appearances at Rogers Centre. Kevin Gausman had held batters to 0 for 16 on splitters in the playoffs before the homer by the catcher.
Polanco delivered a go-ahead base hit later in the inning and contributed an RBI single in the eighth.
“We’re a tough team, as you know, from top to bottom,” Raleigh stated. “Our pitchers performed today, really, really impressed us. They did awesome. Especially short rest and the high pitch count the previous game.”
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.
Record Accomplishments
The Mariners, the only MLB team to not have hosted 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 playoff series against the New York Yankees. Miller, the winner, fanned three and issued three walks in six innings, throwing 72 pitches. The bullpen trio each had perfect innings, with Muñoz getting the save.
“This will be a fiercely contested series, man,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider commented. “These guys will be ready for it.”
Springer’s 21st postseason home run 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 home run was his fourth in 15 appearances against Kevin Gausman, who suffered the defeat.
Polanco, who had the game-ending single Friday, singled against Brendon Little to drive in Rodríguez, who was issued a walk by the pitcher. Polanco added another RBI single against Seranthony Domínguez.
Notable Contest Highlights
Eugenio Suárez hit a double off the top of the right-field wall in the seventh against Louis Varland. The 395-foot hit would have been a homer 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 ball into his knee in the first inning.