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Mariners defeat Blue Jays 6-2 in Game 5 of the ALCS after late home run frenzy

Updated
Mariners' Cal Raleigh hits a home run in Game 5 of the 2025 ALCS
Mariners' Cal Raleigh hits a home run in Game 5 of the 2025 ALCSAlika Jenner/Getty Images

The Seattle Mariners defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 as they took Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Friday to take a 3-2 series lead.

And most of it came in the bottom of the eighth inning for the Mariners, where they scored five runs on two home runs. 

Seattle's MVP candidate in Cal Raleigh did what MVPs are supposed to do - come through in the clutch. 

Raleigh launched a solo home run off Brendon Little to start the bottom of the eighth inning to tie it all up 2-2. 

Then, the door was blown wide open.

After loading the bases, Seattle's Eugenio Suarez launched his second home run of the game in grand fashion to put the Mariners up 6-2 to eventually take Game 5.

It was a home run that Suarez said is "the biggest of my career" after the game.

They are now one win away from advancing to the World Series for the first time in franchise history.

Suarez originally got things started for the Mariners after taking Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman deep to left field for a solo home run. 

It was Suarez's second home run of the postseason before his eighth-inning grand slam.

After throwing a shutout through four innings, giving up just four hits and striking out four, Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller was taken out in the top of the fifth after giving up a single to Addison Barger. 

Matt Brash would come in for Miller, who didn't look too thrilled about being taken out, and eventually give up a double to George Springer that scored Barger - tying the game up 1-1. 

Seattle would replace Brash in the following inning with Bryan Woo, originally a starting pitcher for the Mariners during the regular season and his first appearance of the postseason. 

Woo would give up a double to Alejandro Kirk before teammate Ernie Clement got him home on an RBI double to put the Blue Jays up 2-1. 

It didn't get any better for Woo or the Blue Jays in the seventh inning. Woo would hit Springer with a pitch right off his back knee. 

Springer tried to walk down the first baseline and stay in the game, but eventually limped his way to the clubhouse. Joey Loperfido would come in to pinch-run for Springer.

Woo eventually got out of the seventh inning without allowing a run, but the Jays were hoping the best for their star hitter.

Then, eighth-inning chaos ensued for the Mariners as the series now goes back to Toronto for Game 6 on Sunday, October 19th.

Gabe Speier would toss a scoreless eighth inning then Andres Munoz would come in to close things out for Seattle. He has yet to allow a single hit all postseason (six games). 

Toronto finished the game 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position, Seattle 1-for-5. 

Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman went 5.2 innings, giving up just one run on two hits. He gave up three walks, but struck out four.

Louis Varland threw 1.1 shutout innings after Gausma,n before Little and Seranthony Dominguez gave up the other five runs. 

 

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