SEATTLE — Logan Gilbert approached the tense moment of Game 5 in the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays with cautious optimism. The Seattle Mariners found themselves in a tightly contested 2-2 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning with the bases loaded, and Gilbert, watching from the dugout, could feel the stakes rise alongside the excitement of the 46,758 fans filling T-Mobile Park.
The atmosphere ignited moments earlier when Cal Raleigh launched a game-tying solo home run, lifting the spirits of the crowd after a tedious seven innings of limited offensive action. Following Raleigh’s powerful hit, Jorge Polanco and Josh Naylor drew walks, and Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, loading the bases and setting the stage for a dramatic moment.
Eugenio Suárez stepped to the plate, charged with the responsibility of delivering for his team. Previously a key player in the Mariners’ lineup, Suárez was looking for a decisive moment in this postseason. He was joined in spirit by Gilbert and Bryce Miller, who had pitched well earlier in the game, encouraging the team from the dugout.
As Suárez took his stance against Blue Jays reliever Seranthony Domínguez, Gilbert couldn’t help but wish for the best. “All I’m asking for right here is a home run — nothing too much,” he playfully said to Miller before the pivotal at-bat.
Domínguez challenged Suárez with a fastball, and on a crucial 2-2 count, he delivered a 98.5-mph pitch right down the middle. Suárez responded with a powerful swing, connecting and sending the ball soaring into the right-field stands for a game-changing grand slam, propelling the Mariners to a 6-2 lead. The eruption of the crowd reached new heights, and Gilbert’s wish became a reality.
“It started as a request,” Gilbert quipped after the game. “But we can say that I called it.”
As Suárez rounded the bases, his teammates flooded out of the dugout to celebrate. Known for his infectious positivity and leadership, Suárez’s grand slam not only provided a significant boost to the score, but it also revitalized the spirit of the team and fans, something they desperately needed after a series of struggles.
Despite earlier difficulties in the postseason, Suárez remained upbeat, encouraging his team through tough times. His contributions this season were substantial, and his success in this critical moment showcased the power of perseverance and a good attitude.
The Mariners’ journey in this postseason has been transformative. After initially leading the series 2-0, they faced setbacks as the Blue Jays claimed Games 3 and 4, and the first seven innings of Game 5 looked grim. However, Suárez’s timely grand slam and Raleigh’s earlier homer shifted the narrative, bringing life back to a team on the brink of disappointment.
With their recent victory in Game 5, the Mariners find themselves just one win away from their first-ever World Series appearance, a monumental achievement some fans have yearned for decades. The team embarks on the next leg of their journey back to Toronto, where they have two opportunities to secure their place in baseball history.
“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 expressed, reflecting the hope surrounding the Mariners as they continue their pursuit of glory.