SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners are closer than they've ever been to the World Series in its 48-year franchise history.

The Mariners beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Friday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The victory gave Seattle a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Mariners can now officially call this season the best year in franchise history. And a large part of that has been to the historic season from catcher Cal Raleigh.

Seattle's Platinum Glove-winning backstop had arguably the best offensive season by a catcher in MLB history this year. In 159 games, Raleigh scored 110 runs and hit 24 doubles and 60 home runs with 125 RBIs. He slashed .247/.359/.589 with a .948 OPS. His 60 home runs set a single-season MLB record for the most by a catcher and a switch-hitter.

Raleigh's impact has continued to stretch into the postseason.

In the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 5 of the ALCS on Friday, Raleigh led off the inning with Seattle down 2-1. He hit a solo home run to left field to tie the game 2-2. Raleigh's game-tying blast came several plate appearances before third baseman Eugenio Suarez's go-ahead (and eventual game-winning) grand slam in the same inning.

Raleigh's game-tying homer was just the eighth time in MLB history a catcher has hit a game-tying home run in the eighth inning or later in the playoffs. Raleigh became the first catcher to accomplish that feat since Jorge Posada did it for the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS on Oct. 19, 2019.

Raleigh has been the team's most consistent hitter in this year's postseason. Entering Saturday, Raleigh has scored seven runs in 10 games and has hit two doubles and four home runs with seven RBIs. He's slashed .333/.435/.692 with a 1.127 OPS.

Raleigh and the Mariners will look to win the first pennant in team history in Game 6 of the ALCS at 5:03 p.m. PT on Sunday at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

RELATED MARINERS STORIES

EUGENIO SUAREZ, CAL RALEIGH LEAD MARINERS TO 6-2 WIN OVER BLUE JAYS IN GAME 5 OF ALCS: The two sluggers connected for critical home runs to give the Mariners a 3-2 lead over the Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series. CLICK HERE

MARINERS COACHES CONTINUING TO PREACH SAME MESSAGE: The Mariners' manager and senior director of hitting strategy expanded on the crucial American League Championship Series showdown against the Toronto Blue Jays. CLICK HERE

MARINERS MAKE MAJOR LINEUP CHANGE AHEAD OF GAME 1 OF ALCS: Julio Rodriguez will lead-off for the Mariners in a major shift to the offense from the last several months. CLICK HERE

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