The Mariners now find themselves just one win from their first World Series berth after a dramatic late comeback in Game Five of the ALCS.
In recent months, a lot of the talk surrounding the Seattle Mariners has been about the strength of their collective mental fortitude, the close-knit nature among the players and how they might be a team of destiny. All three narratives were put to the ultimate test on Friday afternoon in Seattle.
Even as the Mariners have embarked on a magical playoff run, the reality is that the offense has done little in home games. Entering Game Five of this AL Championship Series the team has scored a combined 14 runs in five home postseason games and gone 2-3, including losing the previous two nights at T-Mobile Park.
As Game Five entered the bottom of the eighth, the Mariners had again done little at the plate, totalling just three hits and trailing the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1. Then it all turned around dramatically, and in no small part thanks to a questionable bullpen move by Blue Jays manager John Schneider.
Cal Raleigh hits number 64
Schneider turned to Brendon Little, who while he is talented and has had a good season overall, is renowned for being erratic. The Blue Jays immediately regretted the move, as Cal Raleigh hit a solo blast to tie the game at 2-2 and breathe new life into a stagnant Mariners offense.
The home run was also the 64th of the season for Raleigh regular season and playoffs combined, which equalled Aaron Judge’s all-time AL record and with still at least two more games to surpass it. While the homer won’t be able to help sway the AL MVP decision — the votes have already been cast — it was undoubtedly the biggest hit of Raleigh’s Major League career.
An even bigger hit was still to come, but first of all the stage for this would be set by Little walking the next two batters and being hastily removed by the Blue Jays. Next up it was Seranthony Domínguez, who proceeded to hit Randy Arozarena with a wild pitch and load the bases with no outs.
The biggest hit in Mariners history
The energy within T-Mobile Park was ramped up to the max as Eugenio Suárez came to the plate, but there were also still plenty of nerves. Suárez is an extremely popular person in Seattle with teammates and fans alike, but the reality is he’s been a disappointment since returning in a trade deadline move from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
With all of this in mind and with reference to the Mariners possibly being a team of destiny, perhaps it was fate that Suárez was the man who had the opportunity to do something special. And he delivered in style with the biggest hit in franchise history, as he blasted the ball over the right field wall for a grand slam home run and a 6-2 lead for the home team.
It was a moment which shook the ballpark both figuratively and literally, as the 46,758 in attendance erupted with joy in what seemed almost like a surreal moment which was too good to be true. Suárez seemingly felt this way as well, as he almost appeared stunned in both his initial reaction to the hit and in how he rounded the bases before celebrating with his teammates.
The Blue Jays were similarly stunned and there was no recovering from this body blow, as Andrés Muñoz pitched a quick 1-2-3 top of the ninth to close the deal. The Mariners now stand closer than ever before to their first ever World Series berth, which again must feel surreal to plenty of their fans.
Dan Wilson as stunned as everyone else
Mariners manager Dan Wilson spoke to the media postgame, and you got the feeling even he couldn’t quite believe the sequence of events which resulted in the 6-2 win. He said:
“It felt like Cal’s ball was in the air for like an hour. But to see that one go over and tie the score. And then after Geno’s grand slam, I’m not sure I’ve heard that building any louder than that. Again, just can’t say enough about the fans here in Seattle.”
As for Suárez, Friday’s game was about showing he could still make a difference which he did, having also hit a home run in the bottom of the second to give the Mariners an early 1-0 lead. As per Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, he said;
“I’ve been waiting for this. I just feel so grateful right now and feel so good because we’re going to Toronto with an opportunity in front of us to go to a World Series.”
Suárez was understandably emotional when he spoke to the media postgame, accompanied by his two daughters. He said:
“I feel so grateful. God gives me the ability to do something good for this city, and the vibe is always going to be high. Even when you’re struggling, you’ve got to keep your good vibes because it’s a gift.”
Mariners pitching deserves plenty of credit
Of course for all the heroics of Suárez and Raleigh, the Mariners aren’t even in a position to win the game if not for their pitching, beginning with Bryce Miller. Yes his outing on Friday afternoon wasn’t at the same level as in Game One of this ALCS — how could it be — but he still officially went 4.0 innings and only allowed one earned run.
Wilson decided to replace Miller after he allowed the leadoff hitter on base in the top of the fifth, with Matt Brash coming in to get the three necessary outs. Next up it was a highly anticipated moment, as Bryan Woo finally made his return from injury in the top of the sixth.
Woo went 2.0 innings but it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing – how could it be given this was his first game action in effectively a month. He allowed a run in the top of the sixth to give the Blue Jays their one lead of the night and an inning later unfortunately hit George Springer in the kneecap, who left the game in clear pain.
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Objectively speaking, the Mariners were also helped by the Blue Jays not cashing in more on their chances. Three times the visitors got the leadoff runner on base and twice they had the bases loaded including in the top of the fourth with no outs, but overall only had two runs on the night.
Again, perhaps it all adds up to the Mariners being a team of destiny, although there is still work to do with them needing to go north of the border again for at least one or possibly two more games. Historically speaking the M’s have won all four previous postseason games they’ve played in Toronto, but no one will be taking anything for granted.
Everything is now set up for the Mariners to make this unequivocally the best season in nearly five decades of Major League Baseball in Seattle, with just one win separating them from their first ever World Series. It’s now up to them to bring the narratives surrounding this team to fruition and fulfil their destiny.
Photos courtesy of Tim Rogers Photography
Were you fortunate enough to be at T-Mobile Park for Game Five? Either way, how confident are you that the Mariners will get the win they need in Toronto to finally win their first AL Pennant in franchise history? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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