Mariners Edge Blue Jays in ALCS Game 5, One Win from World Series

SEATTLE, Wash. — The Seattle Mariners defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-2, in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night, inching them closer to their first World Series appearance.

The Mariners’ victory highlighted two crucial eighth-inning home runs from Eugenio Suárez and Cal Raleigh. Raleigh tied the game with a solo homer before Suárez delivered the game-winning grand slam.

The Mariners entered the eighth down 2-1 and facing the possibility of losing all three home games. Raleigh’s home run shifted momentum, sparking a rally that led to Suárez’s grand slam, his second homer of the game, making the score 6-2.

“That was an incredible inning for us,” said Mariners manager Dan Wilson. “We needed that turnaround, and the guys stepped up in a big way.”

Before the dramatics of the eighth, the Blue Jays had taken a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning when Alejandro Kirk singled home a run. However, a botched throw from Mariners right fielder Dominic Canzone allowed Kirk to score.

Mariners starter Bryce Miller showed resilience despite the tough inning, keeping the Blue Jays scoreless until the late innings. He struck out key players, including George Springer, who had to leave the game due to a knee injury.

<p“This was a must-win game for us,” Suárez commented after the match. “We can feel the excitement in the air. We're close. We just need to finish it.”

The series now shifts back to Toronto for Game 6 on Sunday night, where the Mariners need just one more win to claim the pennant. Logan Gilbert is expected to start for Seattle, facing rookie Trey Yesavage of the Blue Jays.

“We have the chance to make history on Sunday, and we’re ready for it,” Raleigh added. “We just have to stick to our game plan.”