Raleigh, Suarez, Crawford Homer as Mariners Top Tigers, Take ALDS Lead/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Seattle Mariners are just one win away from reaching the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2001. Behind home runs from Cal Raleigh, Eugenio Suarez, and J.P. Crawford, Seattle defeated the Detroit Tigers 8-4 in Game 3 of the ALDS. The Mariners now lead the series 2-1 with a chance to clinch in Game 4.
ALDS Game 3 Mariners vs. Tigers Quick Looks
- Mariners win 8–4, lead ALDS series 2–1
- Raleigh hits 2-run homer; Suarez, Crawford add solo shots
- Seattle nears first ALCS appearance since 2001
- Logan Gilbert shines with 6 innings, 7 strikeouts
- Detroit limited to 4 hits through 8 innings
- Tigers rally late but fall short in 9th inning
- Mariners capitalize on Detroit errors, scoring 2 unearned runs
- Tigers drop 8th straight home game at Comerica Park
- Mariners can clinch series in Game 4 Wednesday
- Casey Mize (DET) vs Bryce Miller (SEA) in Game 4
Deep Look: Mariners Power Past Tigers Behind Big Bats, Take 2–1 Lead in ALDS
DETROIT — The Seattle Mariners are now just one win away from their first American League Championship Series berth in 24 years, thanks to a dominant performance Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the AL Division Series.
Fueled by home runs from Cal Raleigh, Eugenio Suarez, and J.P. Crawford, the Mariners rolled to an 8–4 victory at Comerica Park, seizing a 2–1 lead in the best-of-five series. They’ll get their first chance to clinch a trip to the ALCS in Game 4 on Wednesday.
“The Seattle Mariners deserve where we’re at right now,” said Suarez, who went deep in the fourth inning.
Seattle hasn’t reached the ALCS since 2001, the year they tied an MLB record with 116 wins but fell short of a World Series appearance. Now, behind a blend of power, pitching, and poise, they’re knocking on the door again.
Seattle’s Bats Come Alive Early
The Mariners jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. After a leadoff double by Victor Robles in the third inning, a defensive miscue by Riley Greene in left field allowed Seattle to strike first. An RBI single by Randy Arozarena made it 2–0 before Detroit starter Jack Flaherty was pulled in the fourth.
In the next frame, Eugenio Suarez crushed a 422-foot homer to left field, and Raleigh followed later in the inning with an RBI single to make it 4–0.
Detroit got one back in the fifth when Kerry Carpenter’s fielder’s choice allowed a run to score — but a misfire on a potential double play let the inning continue. Crawford’s solo homer in the sixth immediately restored Seattle’s four-run lead.
Raleigh Caps It Off with a Blast
Already holding a 5–1 lead, Cal Raleigh capped his night with a 391-foot, two-run homer in the ninth, bringing the score to 8–1. It was Raleigh’s latest display of postseason power after leading the majors with 60 home runs during the regular season.
“Can’t say enough about what Logan did,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “Just an incredible outing. He had everything going.”
Logan Gilbert kept the Tigers off balance all night, allowing just one run on four hits across six innings with seven strikeouts and no walks.
Tigers Rally Late, But It’s Too Late
Detroit’s offense, dormant most of the night, showed late life in the ninth. Caleb Ferguson struggled in relief, surrendering three runs on three hits without recording an out. Spencer Torkelson smashed a two-run double and Andy Ibanez added an RBI single to cut the lead to 8–4.
But Seattle’s All-Star closer Andres Munoz came in with one on and no outs to shut the door. He induced a flyout and then a game-ending double play, preserving the win and avoiding a complete Tigers comeback.
“We’ve had to play more and more back-against-the-wall-type games,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said postgame. “I know our guys are going to be ready.”
Defensive Miscues Prove Costly for Detroit
Detroit’s loss wasn’t just about Seattle’s offense — it was also about self-inflicted damage. In addition to Greene’s throwing error in the third, Kerry Carpenter dropped a fly ball in the eighth, allowing Luke Raley to reach third and score on Crawford’s sacrifice fly, pushing the score to 6–1 at the time.
In all, Seattle scored two unearned runs, a margin Detroit couldn’t overcome.
The Tigers have now lost eight straight games at home, and their first postseason game at Comerica Park in over two weeks failed to deliver the spark they needed.
What’s Next: Game 4 Showdown
The Tigers will turn to right-hander Casey Mize, while the Mariners counter with Bryce Miller in Game 4 on Wednesday afternoon. A win sends Seattle to the ALCS; a loss forces Game 5 back in Seattle on Friday.
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