Cal Raleigh Homers as Mariners Overpower Toronto Blue Jays in Much-Anticipated Comeback to ALCS
Cal Raleigh homered, Jorge Polanco delivered the winning run with a sixth frame single, and the Mariners overcame the Blue Jays 3-1 on Sunday evening as they made their return to the AL Championship Series for the initial occasion in 24 years.
Pitching Dominance on Show
George Springer homered on the opening delivery from Miller, who then escaped a two-on jam in a 27-pitch first inning. Anthony Santander hit a single in the second for Toronto’s sole additional hit, and Mariners pitchers set down 23 out of the final 24 Toronto hitters. The pitching quartet combined to throw just 100 deliveries less than 48 hours after the Seattle team needed 209 throws to outplay the Tigers over 15 innings.
Crucial Batting Plays
Raleigh, who led the major leagues with 60 homers, evened the game in the sixth with his ninth home run in 14 appearances at Rogers Centre. Kevin Gausman had previously kept batters hitless on splitters in the postseason before the home run by Raleigh.
Polanco hit a go-ahead single later in the inning and contributed an run-scoring single in the eighth.
“We are a resilient squad, as you know, from top to bottom,” Raleigh stated. “Pitchers came out today, extremely impressive. They were outstanding. Especially short rest and the high pitch count the previous game.”
AL West champion Seattle journeyed to Toronto, the AL East champion on Saturday after a 3-2 win at home over the Tigers to win the Division Series in the most extended decisive contest in Major League Baseball history.
Record Achievements
Seattle, the only MLB team to never host a World Series game, limited Toronto to just two hits after the Toronto squad 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 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 broke a tie with the Yankees’ Derek Jeter, placing him alone in fifth position on the career list. Raleigh’s homer was his fourth in 15 at-bats against Gausman, who suffered the defeat.
Polanco, the hero of Friday's game, hit a single off Brendon Little to drive in Rodríguez, who was issued a walk by Gausman. Polanco added another RBI single against Seranthony Domínguez.
Notable Game Highlights
Eugenio Suárez doubled against the top of the right-field fence in the seventh against Varland. The 395-foot hit would have been a home run in half of MLB stadiums, including Seattle.
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.
