The Seattle Mariners are now just one win away from their first-ever World Series appearance. They defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 in Game 5 of the ALCS, thanks to Eugenio Suárez’s clutch grand slam in the eighth inning. With that blast, Seattle took a commanding 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
At first, the game was tense. Seattle had fallen behind 2-1, but momentum shifted quickly. Cal Raleigh led off the eighth inning with a solo home run, tying the score at 2-2. Soon after, Brendon Little walked two batters, forcing Toronto manager John Schneider to bring in Seranthony Domínguez. Unfortunately for the Jays, Domínguez hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch, loading the bases. As a result, Suárez stepped up and crushed a fastball deep to right field for a grand slam that electrified the crowd.
Importantly, Suárez had already made his presence felt earlier in the game. In the second inning, he opened the scoring with a solo home run, giving Seattle early confidence. Later, his eighth-inning heroics sealed the victory. Afterward, the bullpen handled business efficiently, and Andrés Muñoz finished the game with a dominant ninth inning.
Key Moments and Turning Points
Throughout the match, momentum swung several times. Toronto briefly took the lead in the sixth inning when Ernie Clement singled to drive in Alejandro Kirk, making it 2-1. However, Seattle refused to back down. Instead, they regrouped and came out aggressive in the eighth.
The key turning point came when Cal Raleigh’s home run tied the game. From there, everything changed. The Mariners gained confidence, while the Blue Jays struggled to regain control. Soon afterward, Suárez’s grand slam turned the stadium into a sea of celebration. Consequently, Toronto’s bullpen could not recover.
Moreover, Seattle’s pitching remained steady under pressure. Every reliever executed well, ensuring the team maintained its rhythm. Because of that stability, the Mariners were able to finish strong and claim the crucial win.
Implications for the Series
With this victory, the Mariners now lead the series 3-2. As they head to Toronto for Game 6, momentum clearly favors Seattle. If they win one more game, they will make franchise history with their first-ever World Series appearance.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays face a tough challenge. They must regroup, reset their pitching, and find offensive consistency to stay alive. Although they’ll have the advantage of playing at home, the pressure will be immense. Still, if they can harness their home crowd energy, they could push the series to a decisive Game 7.
Overall, Seattle’s confidence, depth, and late-game execution have made them the more balanced team. Consequently, they are now the favorites to close out the series.
Conclusion
Eugenio Suárez delivered one of the most memorable moments of the postseason with his game-changing grand slam. Because of his power and timing, the Mariners now stand on the brink of history. As Game 6 approaches, all eyes will be on Toronto to see whether they can respond or if Seattle will finally book their long-awaited World Series ticket.
Bonus Read: Scherzer Powers Blue Jays in Game 4 Win
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