🔗 Share this article Raleigh Homers as Seattle Mariners Stifle Toronto Blue Jays in Long-Awaited Return to AL Championship Series Cal Raleigh blasted a home run, Jorge Polanco drove in the decisive run with a sixth frame single, and the Mariners beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 Sunday night as they made their return to the ALCS for the initial occasion in 24 years. Defensive Dominance on Display George Springer launched a homer on the opening delivery from Miller, who then escaped a two-on jam in a 27-pitch first inning. Anthony Santander singled in the second inning for Toronto’s only other hit, and Mariners pitchers retired 23 out of the final 24 Toronto hitters. The pitching quartet combined to throw just 100 pitches less than 48 hours after the Mariners needed 209 pitches to outplay Detroit over 15 innings. Key Offensive Moments Raleigh, the major league home run leader with 60, evened the game in the sixth inning with his ninth homer in 14 appearances at Rogers Centre. Kevin Gausman had previously kept batters hitless on splitters in the playoffs before the home run by Raleigh. Polanco delivered a go-ahead base hit later in the inning and added an RBI single in the eighth. “We’re a tough team, you know, one through nine,” Raleigh stated. “Pitchers came out today, extremely impressive. They were outstanding. Especially short rest and how many pitches they threw the previous game.” Seattle, the AL West titleholder traveled to AL East winner Toronto on Saturday after a 3-2 win at home over the Detroit Tigers to win the Division Series in the most extended decisive contest in Major League Baseball history. Historic Achievements The Mariners, the only MLB team to never host a World Series game, held Toronto to two hits after the Toronto squad had 50 hits and 34 runs in their four-game Division Series against the New York Yankees. Miller, the winner, struck out three and walked three in six innings, throwing 72 deliveries. The bullpen trio each had 1-2-3 innings, with Muñoz securing the save. “This will be a fiercely contested series, man,” Toronto manager John Schneider commented. “These guys will be ready for it.” Springer’s 21st postseason home run broke 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 Gausman, who took the loss. Polanco, who had the game-ending single Friday, singled against Brendon Little to bring home Rodríguez, who was walked by the pitcher. Polanco later added another run-scoring hit against Seranthony Domínguez. Memorable Game Highlights Eugenio Suárez doubled against the top of the right-field fence in the seventh inning against Varland. The 395-foot hit would have been a homer in half of MLB stadiums, Seattle’s field included. Toronto outfielder Nathan Lukes exited in the fourth. Lukes bruised his right knee when he fouled a pitch off it in the opening frame.