đź”— Share this article Raleigh Hits Home Run as Mariners Stifle Toronto Blue Jays in Much-Anticipated 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 defeated the Blue Jays 3-1 on Sunday evening as they returned to the AL Championship Series for the first time in 24 years. Pitching Mastery 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-delivery first inning. Anthony Santander hit a single in the second for Toronto’s sole additional hit, and Seattle pitchers retired 23 of the Blue Jays’ final 24 batters. Miller, Gabe Speier, Matt Brash and AndrĂ©s Muñoz combined to throw just 100 pitches less than 48 hours after the Mariners needed 209 pitches to outplay Detroit over 15 frames. Crucial Batting Moments Raleigh, who led the major leagues with 60 homers, tied the score in the sixth with his ninth home run in 14 games at Rogers Centre. Kevin Gausman had held batters to 0 for 16 on splitters in the playoffs before the home run by the catcher. Polanco hit a go-ahead single subsequently in the frame and contributed an RBI single in the eighth inning. “We are a resilient squad, you know, one through nine,” Raleigh said. “Our pitchers performed today, really, really impressed us. They did awesome. Particularly on short rest and the high pitch count the previous game.” Seattle, the AL West titleholder journeyed 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 sole MLB franchise to never host 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, the winner, struck out three and walked three in six frames, throwing 72 deliveries. The three relievers each had perfect innings, with Muñoz getting the save. “This will be a fiercely contested series, for sure,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “These guys will be ready for it.” Springer's 21st playoff homer ended a tie with the Yankees’ Derek Jeter, moving him into sole possession of fifth place on the career list. Raleigh's home run was his fourth in 15 at-bats against Kevin Gausman, who suffered the defeat. Polanco, who had the game-ending single Friday, singled against Brendon Little to bring home Julio RodrĂguez, who was walked by Gausman. Polanco later added another run-scoring hit against Seranthony DomĂnguez. Notable Contest Highlights Eugenio Suárez hit a double off the top of the right-field wall in the seventh against Varland. The 395-foot drive would have been a homer in half of MLB stadiums, including Seattle. Blue Jays outfielder Nathan Lukes exited in the fourth. Lukes sustained a right knee bruise when he fouled a ball into his knee in the opening frame.