đ Share this article Raleigh Hits Home Run as Mariners Defeat Toronto Blue Jays in Long-Awaited Return 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 Mariners overcame the Blue Jays 3-1 Sunday night as they made their return to the ALCS for the first time in two dozen years. Defensive Mastery on Display George Springer homered on the first pitch from Bryce Miller, who then escaped a two-on jam in a 27-pitch opening frame. Anthony Santander hit a single in the second for Torontoâs only other hit, and Seattle pitchers set down 23 of the Blue Jaysâ final 24 batters. The pitching quartet combined to throw just 100 pitches under two days after the Mariners needed 209 throws to outlast Detroit over 15 frames. Key Offensive 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 delivered a go-ahead base hit subsequently in the frame and contributed an RBI single in the eighth inning. âWeâre a tough team, as you know, from top to bottom,â Raleigh stated. âOur pitchers performed today, extremely impressive. They were outstanding. Especially short rest and how many pitches they threw the other day.â Seattle, the AL West titleholder journeyed to AL East winner Toronto on the prior day after a 3-2 home victory over the Tigers to claim the Division Series in the most extended decisive contest in Major League Baseball history. Record Accomplishments Seattle, the sole MLB franchise to never host a Fall Classic game, limited Toronto to just two hits after the Blue Jays had 50 hits and 34 runs in their four-game Division Series against the New York Yankees. Miller, who earned the win, struck out three and walked three in six innings, throwing 72 deliveries. The bullpen trio each had perfect innings, with MuĂąoz getting the save. âThis will be a fiercely contested series, for sure,â Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. âOur team will be prepared for it.â Springerâs 21st postseason home run broke a tie with the Yankeesâ Derek Jeter, placing him alone in fifth position on the career list. Raleighâs homer was his fourth in 15 at-bats against Gausman, who suffered the defeat. Polanco, the hero of Friday's game, hit a single off Brendon Little to drive in Julio RodrĂguez, who was walked by the pitcher. Polanco added another RBI single against DomĂnguez. Notable Game Highlights Eugenio SuĂĄrez doubled off the top of the right-field wall in the seventh against Varland. The 395-foot drive would have been a home run in half of MLB stadiums, including Seattle. Toronto outfielder Nathan Lukes exited in the fourth. Lukes sustained a right knee bruise when he fouled a pitch off it in the opening frame.