🔗 Share this article Raleigh Homers as Mariners Overpower Blue Jays in Much-Anticipated Comeback to ALCS Cal Raleigh blasted a home run, Jorge Polanco delivered the winning run with a sixth-inning single, and the Seattle Mariners defeated the 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 homered on the opening delivery from 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 retired 23 out of the final 24 Toronto hitters. Miller, Gabe Speier, Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz combined to throw just 100 deliveries under two days after the Mariners needed 209 throws to outlast Detroit over 15 frames. Crucial Batting Plays 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 postseason before the homer by Raleigh. Polanco delivered a go-ahead base hit later in the inning and added an run-scoring single in the eighth. “We’re a tough team, as you know, one through nine,” Raleigh stated. “Our pitchers performed today, extremely impressive. They were outstanding. Especially short rest and the high pitch count the other day.” AL West champion Seattle journeyed to Toronto, the AL East champion on the prior day after a 3-2 home victory over the Detroit Tigers to win the Division Series in the longest winner-take-all game in MLB history. Record Achievements The Mariners, the sole MLB franchise to not have hosted a Fall Classic game, held Toronto to two hits after the Blue Jays had 50 hits and 34 runs in their four-game playoff series against the New York Yankees. Miller, who earned the win, 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 postseason home run broke a tie with the Yankees’ Derek Jeter, moving him into sole possession of fifth place on the career list. Raleigh’s homer was his fourth in 15 at-bats against Kevin Gausman, who took the loss. Polanco, the hero of Friday's game, hit a single off Brendon Little to bring home Julio Rodríguez, who was issued a walk by the pitcher. Polanco added another RBI single against Domínguez. Notable Contest Moments Eugenio Suárez doubled against the top of the right-field fence in the seventh against Louis Varland. The 395-foot drive would have been a home run in 15 of 30 big league ballparks, including Seattle. Toronto outfielder Nathan Lukes left in the fourth inning. Lukes sustained a right knee bruise when he fouled a pitch off it in the opening frame.