Mariners seize 3-2 ALCS lead as Suárez’s grand slam beats Blue Jays

When Seattle Mariners clinched a 6–2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, October 17, 2025, the series swung in Seattle’s favor for the first time since the franchise’s birth in 1977.

The tournament‑deciding showdown unfolded at T‑Mobile Park in Seattle, packing in 47,943 fans who watched from 5:08 PM PT as the ALCS Game 5 tipped the balance to a 3–2 lead for the Mariners.

Seattle’s left‑hander Logan Gilbert drew the first strike, while Toronto countered with right‑hander Alek Manoah. Neither would factor in the final decision, but the early fireworks came from the lineup.

In the second inning, the Dominican‑born third baseman Eugenio Suárez launched a solo shot to left‑center, giving Seattle a 1–0 edge.

Toronto answered in the fifth when center‑fielder George Springer doubled, driving catcher Alejandro Barger home for a 1–1 tie.

The sixth inning turned into a mini‑marathon. After a leadoff single by second baseman Santiago Espinal, Toronto’s starter Kevin Gausman was pulled for left‑hander Tim Mayza. A crafty sacrifice by shortstop Bo Bichette moved Espinal to second, and a walk to outfielder Daulton Varsho set the table. Then catcher Alejandro Kirk crossed on a single from utility man Davis Schneider, putting Toronto up 2–1.

But the eighth inning rewrote the script. Reliever Bryan Abreu walked center‑fielder Julio Rodríguez and shortstop J.P. Crawford before bowing to right‑hander Bowden Francis. That’s when catcher Cal Raleigh stepped up and drilled a solo home run to left, knotting the game at 2–2.

With the bases still loaded and nobody out, the stage was set for a moment that would live in Mariners lore. Facing Toronto’s newcomer Nate Pearson, Suárez swung an opposite‑field grand slam to right field, sending Rodríguez, Crawford, Raleigh and himself home for a 6–2 lead.

Suárez finished with two homers and five RBIs, becoming the first Mariner to hit a pair of home runs in an ALCS game since Edgar Martínez did it in 1995. “I’ve been waiting for games like this my whole career,” he said in post‑game interviews, gesturing toward his wife and two daughters in the stands.

Key Performances

The night belonged to Suárez, but several other players left their mark. Gabe Speier earned the win out of the bullpen, lowering his postseason record to 1–1, while Toronto’s closer Bowden Francis took the loss.

For the Blue Jays, Julio Rodríguez was a bright spot, reaching base three times and driving in two runs, even though his grand‑slam attempt fell short.

Managerial Reactions

Seattle’s skipper Scott Servais, 57, praised his veteran’s clutch timing: “Eugenio’s grand slam was the difference‑maker tonight. We’ve been waiting for this moment for 48 years, and he delivered when it mattered most.”

Across the border, Blue Jays manager John Schneider remained pragmatic: “We had the lead late, but their offense came through when it counted. We’ll regroup for Game 6 in Toronto.”

Implications for the Series

With Seattle now up 3–2, the ALCS returns to Toronto for Game 6 on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 8:07 PM ET at Rogers Centre. A Blue Jays win forces a decisive Game 7 on Monday, October 20, at the same venue.

If the Mariners clinch in Seattle, they’ll break a 48‑year World Series drought that dates back to the franchise’s inaugural season in 1977. For Toronto, a win would mark their first ALCS victory since 1993, when they captured back‑to‑back championships.

Historical Context

The 2025 ALCS pits two 1977 expansion clubs against each other, a rarity in modern baseball. The Mariners have never advanced past the ALCS, while the Blue Jays’ last World Series triumph came in 1993, led by legends like Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar. This year’s matchup rekindles a decades‑long rivalry that began when both franchises entered the league the same year.

Statistically, the series has been a pitchers’ duel. Through five games, the combined ERA sits at 3.45, and the average runs per game sits just under four. Suárez’s six‑run burst in Game 5 is the largest single‑game offensive outburst of the year in the postseason.

What’s Next?

All eyes now turn to Toronto’s bullpen, which will need to stifle Seattle’s power bats in Game 6. Meanwhile, the Mariners will hope to ride the momentum of Suárez’s heroics, perhaps giving the veteran a spot in the lineup’s cleanup role for a potential Game 7.

Regardless of the outcome, the night in Seattle reminded fans why October baseball feels like a high‑stakes drama – complete with heart‑shaped hand gestures, family celebrations, and a city on the brink of its first World Series finale.