Eugenio Suárez blasted a dramatic go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning, propelling the Seattle Mariners to a 6-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. This win gives Seattle a 3-2 series lead and moves them within one win of their first World Series appearance in franchise history, a milestone never before achieved in their 49 years of existence.
The game was a tense affair at T-Mobile Park, with the Mariners trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the eighth inning after earlier struggles at the plate. Catcher Cal Raleigh ignited the comeback by launching a solo home run to left field, tying the score and electrifying the home crowd. The ball hung in the air for nearly seven seconds before barely clearing the wall, marking Raleigh’s fourth postseason homer and tying an American League record for most combined regular-season and playoff home runs.
After Raleigh’s clutch hit, the Mariners loaded the bases with walks to Jorge Polanco and Josh Naylor, followed by a hit-by-pitch to Randy Arozarena. This set the stage for Eugenio Suárez, who had already homered in the second inning. Facing a 2-2 count against reliever Seranthony Dominguez, Suárez connected on a 98 mph fastball, sending it soaring over the right-field wall for a grand slam that gave Seattle a commanding 6-2 lead.
Suárez’s grand slam was only the second in Mariners postseason history, joining Edgar Martinez’s from the 1995 AL Division Series, and it was the seventh in MLB postseason history to put a team ahead in the eighth inning or later. The blast triggered an eruption of noise from the sellout crowd, which players described as one of the loudest moments ever heard at T-Mobile Park. Suárez celebrated by hoisting the team’s trident symbol, while Julio Rodríguez and teammates rushed onto the field in jubilation.
In his postgame comments, Suárez called it “the biggest home run of my career,” emphasizing the emotional significance of performing in front of his wife and two daughters, who had flown in for the game. He shared that he and his wife had long prayed for such a moment, blending personal joy with professional achievement in his 12th major league season. The victory was particularly sweet for Suárez, who had battled a postseason slump and was reacquired by Seattle mid-season in a move celebrated by teammates.
The win capped a resilient team effort, with the Mariners’ pitching staff keeping the game within reach despite earlier series losses. Starter Bryce Miller allowed just one run over four-plus innings, while relievers Gabe Speier, Matt Brash, and Andrés Muñoz combined for three scoreless innings. Defensive plays, including a key double play initiated by Raleigh and a leaping catch by Arozarena, helped minimize Toronto’s scoring opportunities and set the stage for the late offensive explosion.
With the series shifting to Toronto for Game 6, the Mariners now stand on the brink of history, while the Blue Jays face a must-win situation with rookie Trey Yesavage scheduled to start. Blue Jays manager John Schneider expressed confidence in his team’s ability to respond under pressure, noting the home-field advantage and the group’s resilience. For Seattle, the focus remains on their mantra, “Job’s Not Finished,” as they aim to secure a World Series matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who hold home-field advantage based on regular-season records.
This victory not only avenges Seattle’s losses in Games 3 and 4 but also underscores the team’s depth and determination, with contributions from both stars and role players. As the Mariners prepare for the next game, the moment serves as a testament to their season-long grind and the unwavering support of their fans, who have waited decades for a chance at the Fall Classic.