The Seattle Mariners are one step away from making franchise history. A dramatic late-inning surge powered them to a 6-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 5 of the ALCS.
Eugenio Suárez, who’d been struggling at the plate lately, delivered the go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning. That shot gave Seattle a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Earlier in the same inning, Cal Raleigh showcased his postseason power with a solo blast to tie the game. Seattle now sits just one win away from its first World Series appearance since the club’s inception in 1977.
Suárez Breaks Out of Slump in Grand Fashion
Heading into Game 5, Suárez was mired in a 6-for-50 funk. He started his night with a second-inning solo homer, putting the Mariners on the board.
But his defining moment came in the eighth inning. With the bases loaded after walks to Jorge Polanco and Josh Naylor, plus Randy Arozarena getting plunked, Suárez crushed a towering drive over the left-field wall.
It was his fourth grand slam of the season. That swing instantly flipped the momentum in Seattle’s favor.
Raleigh’s Timely Blast Sets the Stage
Suárez’s heroics wouldn’t have happened without Raleigh’s batwork earlier in the inning. The Mariners catcher tied the game with a high-arcing solo home run to left field—his fourth of this October run.
That blast ignited the Mariners’ dugout. It set the tone for an explosive offensive finish.
Pitching Sets the Table for Late Drama
Seattle’s pitching staff laid the foundation for the win, starting with rookie hurler Bryce Miller. The right-hander looked sharp early, delivering shutout baseball until the fifth inning.
One single prompted his removal. Toronto managed to take a 2-1 lead with RBI hits from George Springer and Ernie Clement.
The Blue Jays missed several golden opportunities. They finished just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Speier’s Perfect Eighth Preserves the Lead
After Suárez’s grand slam, Gabe Speier came in and delivered a flawless eighth inning. He earned the win in relief.
Speier’s efficiency was exactly what Seattle needed to hold its advantage. His efforts got a boost from excellent defensive execution earlier, including a rare 2-3 double play that showed off some heads-up teamwork.
Blue Jays Face Injury Concerns
The loss stung even more for Toronto after George Springer exited with a right knee contusion from a hit-by-pitch. X-rays came back negative, but the timing couldn’t be worse as they now stare at elimination.
Without Springer’s presence at the top of the lineup, Toronto’s offense will need to find a spark elsewhere. Someone’s got to step up now, right?
Looking Ahead to Game 6
Game 6 lands under the bright lights of Rogers Centre on Sunday night. All eyes will be on Trey Yesavage, the Blue Jays rookie starter.
Yesavage got roughed up by Seattle earlier in the series, surrendering five runs. He’ll need to rebound in dramatic fashion if Toronto hopes to force a decisive Game 7.
Key Takeaways from Game 5
This game had everything you’d expect from postseason baseball—tense moments, wild swings, and a few unexpected stars. The Mariners pulled off the win with a mix of patience, timely power, and some slick defense.
- Eugenio Suárez found his power stroke right when it mattered most.
- Cal Raleigh kept launching homers, staying hot in October.
- Seattle’s bullpen and defense slammed the door on Toronto’s late push.
- Toronto let too many chances slip away with runners on base.
- George Springer’s injury could really shake up Game 6 plans.
Now, with a 3-2 lead, Seattle stands on the edge of something huge. One more win, and after 47 long years, they’ll finally punch their ticket to the World Series. That’s wild to even type, honestly. Toronto? Well, it’s win or go home, and they’ll need to be nearly perfect.
Sunday night’s going to be a rollercoaster. You’ll hear both fan bases roaring as the Mariners chase history and the Blue Jays fight to keep their season going.
Here is the source article for this story: Mariners a win from first World Series, beat Blue Jays behind Suárez’s grand slam for 3-2 ALCS lead
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