After outlasting the Detroit Tigers in a 15-inning elimination thriller, the Seattle Mariners carried their momentum into the American League Championship Series, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays on the road in Game 1 on Sunday night.
Cal Raleigh opened the scoring for Seattle with a solo home run, matching George Springer’s first-inning blast for Toronto. Later, Jorge Polanco delivered once again, driving in two runs with a go-ahead single that ultimately proved to be the difference. Polanco has been one of the Mariners’ hottest hitters this postseason, having also delivered the walk-off hit against Detroit in Game 5 of the Division Series.
While the offense provided timely production, Seattle’s pitching staff stole the spotlight once again. Starter Bryce Miller, working on four days’ rest, set the tone by allowing just one run on two hits across six strong innings. Despite a heavily taxed bullpen that had thrown 10 innings just two days prior, Seattle’s top relievers — Gabe Speier, Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz — combined for three hitless innings, retiring nine batters on just 24 total pitches.
The performance continued an all-time great postseason run for the Mariners’ pitching staff, which has held opponents to minimal damage despite frequent usage. Holding a Blue Jays lineup that scored 34 runs in the Division Series to just two hits was a statement effort.
Logan Gilbert is set to start Game 2 for Seattle as the Mariners look to extend their lead to 2-0 before the series shifts back home for Games 3, 4 and 5.
