đź”— Share this article Raleigh Homers as Seattle Mariners Stifle Toronto Blue Jays in Much-Anticipated Comeback to AL Championship Series Cal Raleigh blasted a home run, Jorge Polanco drove in the go-ahead run with a sixth frame single, and the Seattle Mariners overcame the Blue Jays 3-1 on Sunday evening as they returned to the AL Championship Series for the first time in two dozen years. Defensive Dominance on Show George Springer homered on the first pitch from Bryce Miller, who then got out of a bases-threatening situation in a 27-pitch first inning. Anthony Santander singled in the second for the Blue Jays' only other hit, and Mariners pitchers set down 23 of the Blue Jays’ final 24 batters. The pitching quartet joined forces to throw just 100 pitches less than 48 hours after the Seattle team needed 209 pitches to outplay Detroit over 15 innings. Key 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 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, from top to bottom,” Raleigh said. “Pitchers came out today, really, really impressed us. They did awesome. Especially short rest and how many pitches they threw the previous game.” AL West champion Seattle traveled to Toronto, the AL East champion on the prior day after a 3-2 home victory over the Tigers to win the Division Series in the most extended decisive contest in MLB history. Historic 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, struck out three and walked three in six innings, throwing 72 pitches. The three relievers each had 1-2-3 innings, with Muñoz securing the save. “This is going to be a hard-fought 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 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 Gausman, who took the loss. Polanco, who had the game-ending single Friday, hit a single off Brendon Little to bring home Julio RodrĂguez, who was issued a walk by the pitcher. Polanco added another RBI single against DomĂnguez. Memorable Contest Highlights Eugenio Suárez doubled against the top of the right-field fence in the seventh against Varland. The 395-foot drive would have been a homer in 15 of 30 big league ballparks, including Seattle. Toronto outfielder Nathan Lukes left in the fourth inning. Lukes bruised his right knee when he fouled a pitch off it in the first inning.