The Mariners were searching for a moment for three anxiety-riddled days.
You just knew they weren’t going to leave Seattle without giving their fans something — anything — to go crazy for.
As this team has done so many times during this seemingly storybook season, with their backs squarely against the wall, they delivered.
When Cal Raleigh’s game-tying home run finally descended from the heavens and into Edgar’s Cantina, it almost felt predestined that the Mariners would give Seattle a cinematic ending to applaud.
What came next sent Seattle into a baseball fairytale.
Eugenio Suárez, the Mariners’ beloved “Good Vibes Only” slugger who was sent away and came back, delivered the grand slam that could help save Seattle’s season and sent the M’s to the brink of their first World Series. If they get there, it’ll be a home run that gets replayed for decades.
AL championship series
Mariners 3, Blue Jays 2
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The home runs shook Seattle and the sports world alike. Here’s a sampling of reactions from national media and fans.
Thinking about how Cal Raleigh—a quiet guy!—said two years ago ownership had to get serious. And how everyone wanted them to get Suarez, but we all thought they’d wouldn’t actually do it. And then they did.
And tonight he did that.
One more.
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) October 18, 2025
loudest I have ever heard a baseball stadium
— Jordan Shusterman (@j_shusterman_) October 18, 2025
The @Mariners last 2 ALCS wins at home‼️
2025:
6-2 final score!
M’s scored 5 runs in an inning
ALCS Game 5
2000:
6-2 final score!
M’s scored 5 runs in an inning
ALCS Game 5#Postseason #TheMayerGWS ⚾️
— Alex Mayer (@alexmayer34) October 18, 2025
My favorite part of moments like this is thinking about how Mariners fans will talk about this forever. Any time they tell the story of this season, people will talk about how they felt right here. Feels like playoff baseball lends to that. https://t.co/XB8sG86xkf
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) October 18, 2025
“the crowd erupts” isn’t quite capturing how loud it was at T-Mobile after that Cal Raleigh homer
— Stacy Jo Rost (@StacyRost) October 18, 2025
Eugenio Suárez, the most egregious salary dump in franchise history, also has the biggest knock in franchise history.
BASE. BALL.
— Colin O’Keefe (@colinokeefe) October 18, 2025
Geno, I completely forgive your lack of production this postseason. I will never say another negative thing about you because of tonight.
— Steve (@MarinersSteve) October 18, 2025
Sean Quinton: squinton@seattletimes.com. Sean Quinton is an assistant sports editor at The Seattle Times, overseeing coverage of the Mariners, Husky football, the Cougars, the Sounders, the Reign, Olympic sports and more.