SEATTLE — In the bottom of the eighth, down 2-1 with the weight of an entire city's expectations on their shoulders, the Seattle Mariners delivered.

Catcher Cal Raleigh hit a game-tying home run and third baseman Eugenio Suarez hit a go-ahead grand slam to lead the Mariners to a 6-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Friday at T-Mobile Park. The victory gave Seattle a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

It's the first time in the organization's 48-year history it's been one win away from the World Series.

"Eh, it was no big deal," M's manager Dan Wilson said jokingly in a postgame news conference Friday. "That (eighth inning) is exactly what our guys do. Obviously a huge day for (Suarez), a huge day for Cal — ironically the only two guys who didn't switch spots in the lineup. When you look at what happened before that ... those are huge at-bats to get on base and to get something going there. And (Suarez) took it from there."

Raleigh and Suarez's impact on the game expanded past the eighth inning blasts.

In the bottom of the second, Suarez hit a solo home run to left field to put the Mariners in front 1-0.

In the top of the fourth with the bases loaded and one out, Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement spiked a ground ball in front of home plate. In a heads up play, Raleigh scooped the ball while tagging home and threw the in-play ball to first, resulting in an inning-ending, 2-3 double play.

Raleigh's heads-up defensive effort kept Seattle's lead at 1-0.

"It's what you got to do," Raleigh said in a news conference Friday. "You got to find a way to get through those tough innings and we were able to make some plays there, which was huge."

The Mariners were unable to remain control of the game for long.

In Games 3 and 4 of the ALCS, Seattle scored first before Toronto tied and eventually won each contest.

The Blue Jays replicated that pattern Friday.

In the top of the fifth, still up 1-0, Seattle starting pitcher Bryce Miller allowed a lead-off single to Toronto right fielder Addison Barger.

Miller was pulled after Barger's hit. He finished the game with four strikeouts, two walks and one earned run allowed on four hits in four innings pitched. It was his second start in the ALCS against Toronto. He allowed allowed just one earned run in both.

"I think (Miller's) doing a great job of using all the pitches," Raleigh said. "And I think with this lineup, and any team you're facing this time of year, you have to mix. You can't rely on one pitch or maybe even two. ... He's doing a great job of mixing, moving. You got to try to stay a step ahead of these guys and I think he's doing a great job of that. I thought he threw the ball really well again today."

Miller was charged an earned run after Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer hit an RBI double against Mariners reliever Matt Brash. That hit brought home Barger and tied the game 1-1.

The Blue Jays pulled ahead 2-1 in the top of the sixth after third Clement hit an RBI single that brought home catcher Alejandro Kirk, which resulted in a 2-1 lead for Toronto.

Kirk put himself in scoring position with a lead-off double. His and Clement's hits came against Seattle pitcher Bryan Woo, who was making his postseason debut. He was out since Sept. 19 due to right pectoral inflammation.

The Blue Jays' 2-1 lead held until Raleigh and Suarez's game tying and go-ahead home runs, respectively, in the eighth.

"It's a lot. Having days like this for me is very special," Suarez said in a postgame news conference Friday. "Emotions are always high. The crowd kept us on the field, kept us in the fight. They expect something good for us. I've been waiting for games like this my whole career. Today I had it, today I had it in front of the crowd, in front of my family, in front of my two daughters, my wife. And the moment is very special right now. ... I feel so grateful."

Mariners All-Star closer Andres Munoz entered the game in the top of the ninth and retired the side in order, drawing the cheers and adulation of the 46,758 people at T-Mobile Park.

Munoz is yet to allow a run in six playoff appearances this year.

Seattle and Toronto will have a day off Saturday before Game 6 of the ALCS at 5:03 p.m. PT on Sunday at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Trey Yesavage will start for the Blue Jays. The Mariners' starting pitcher is still to-be-determined.

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