Suarez's two homers, including a game-winning grand slam, lead the Seattle Mariners to a crucial victory in the deciding game.

The Mariners, who had just three hits through seven innings, erupted in the bottom of the eighth. Powered by Cal Raleigh’s game-tying homer and Eugenio Suarez’s decisive grand slam, Seattle rallied at home to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2. This win gave them a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series, putting them one victory away from their first World Series appearance in 24 years.

Although the Mariners scored first in the bottom of the second with Suarez’s solo home run, the Blue Jays responded in the fifth and sixth innings, with George Springer and Alejandro Kirk each hitting doubles to drive in runs and take a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, reigning home run leader Raleigh hit his 64th homer of the season (regular and postseason combined) to tie the game. Following three consecutive walks by Blue Jays pitchers, the bases were loaded. Suarez capitalized on the opportunity, hitting his second homer of the game—a grand slam—to give the Mariners a four-run lead. The Blue Jays failed to respond in the top of the ninth, allowing Seattle to complete the comeback with five runs scored in that inning.

Starting pitcher Bryce Miller threw four innings, striking out four and walking twice while allowing four hits and one run. Bryan Woo, returning from injury late in the season, pitched two innings in relief and gave up one run. Gabe Speier, who came in during the top of the eighth and pitched a scoreless inning, earned the win.

Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman pitched 5.2 innings, recording four strikeouts and three walks while giving up three hits and one run. However, his chance for the win was spoiled by the bullpen.

Game 6 of the series will return to the Blue Jays’ home field in Toronto after a day off, but Toronto has lost both of their home games so far. According to MLB postseason history, in a best-of-seven series with a 2-3-2 format, there have been 27 instances before this season where a team lost the first two home games; only three of those teams managed to come back and win the series.