🔗 Share this article Raleigh Hits Home Run as Mariners Overpower Toronto Blue Jays in Long-Awaited Return to ALCS Cal Raleigh homered, Jorge Polanco delivered the winning run with a sixth frame single, and the Mariners beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Sunday evening as they returned to the ALCS for the initial occasion in 24 years. Pitching Dominance on Show George Springer launched a homer on the opening delivery from Bryce Miller, who then got out of a bases-threatening situation in a 27-pitch first inning. Anthony Santander hit a single in the second for the Blue Jays' only other hit, and Seattle pitchers set down 23 of the Blue Jays’ final 24 batters. The pitching quartet combined to throw just 100 pitches under two days after the Mariners needed 209 pitches to outlast the Tigers over 15 innings. Crucial Offensive Moments Raleigh, the major league home run leader with 60, tied the score in the sixth with his ninth homer in 14 appearances at the Toronto ballpark. Kevin Gausman had previously kept batters hitless on splitters in the playoffs before the homer by Raleigh. Polanco hit a go-ahead single later in the inning and added an RBI single in the eighth. “We are a resilient squad, as you know, one through nine,” Raleigh stated. “Pitchers came out today, really, really impressed us. They did awesome. Particularly on short rest and the high pitch count the other day.” Seattle, the AL West titleholder journeyed to AL East winner Toronto on Saturday after a 3-2 home victory over the Tigers to win the Division Series in the most extended decisive contest in MLB history. Record Achievements The Mariners, the sole MLB franchise to never host a Fall Classic 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, 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 getting the save. “This will be a fiercely contested series, man,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “Our team will be prepared for it.” Springer’s 21st postseason home run ended 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 appearances against Kevin Gausman, who suffered the defeat. Polanco, who had the game-ending single Friday, singled against Brendon Little to drive in Julio Rodríguez, who was walked by the pitcher. Polanco later added another run-scoring hit against Seranthony Domínguez. Memorable Game Highlights Eugenio Suárez hit a double against the top of the right-field fence in the seventh against Varland. The 395-foot hit would have been a homer in 15 of 30 big league ballparks, including Seattle. Blue Jays outfielder Nathan Lukes left in the fourth inning. Lukes bruised his right knee when he fouled a ball into his knee in the first inning.