DETROIT (Interstat) — The Seattle Mariners moved within one win of their first American League Championship Series in 24 years, riding a trio of home runs and a dominant start from Logan Gilbert to an 8-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the AL Division Series on Tuesday afternoon.

A sellout crowd of 41,525 at Comerica Park watched the Mariners seize control of the best-of-five series, taking a two-games-to-one lead. Seattle can clinch the series Wednesday afternoon in Detroit. A potential Game 5, if necessary, would be Friday in Seattle.

The Mariners, who improved to 92-73, last reached the ALCS in 2001. The Tigers, now 90-78, must win two straight to extend their season.

Seattle’s offense was powered by the long ball. Cal Raleigh launched a decisive two-run homer in the ninth inning, while Eugenio Suarez and J.P. Crawford added solo shots. The Mariners methodically built their lead, scoring in five different innings and racking up eight hits.

Gilbert was the story on the mound, delivering a masterful performance when his team needed it most. The right-hander earned the win, stifling the Tigers’ lineup over six strong innings. He allowed just one run on four hits, striking out seven without issuing a walk. His command and efficiency set the tone, handing a lead over to a bullpen that largely held firm until a turbulent ninth.

Detroit’s starter, Jack Flaherty, was tagged with the loss. He battled command issues, lasting only 3 1/3 innings and surrendering three runs on four hits. While he struck out six, the Mariners capitalized on their opportunities against him.

The game began as a pitcher’s duel through two innings before Seattle broke through in the third. Victor Robles led off with a double and scored when Crawford singled to left field. A throwing error by left fielder Riley Greene allowed Crawford to advance to second, and he subsequently scored on a Randy Arozarena single to center, giving the Mariners a 2-0 lead.

Seattle extended its advantage in the fourth. Suarez led off the inning by launching a solo home run to left-center field. Later in the frame, with two runners on, Raleigh delivered a clutch single to center field, scoring Dominic Canzone to make it 4-0.

Detroit got on the board in the fifth inning. Dillon Dingler was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a fielder’s choice grounder by Kerry Carpenter, cutting the deficit to 4-1.

The Mariners answered right back in the sixth. Crawford led off the inning by turning on a pitch and sending a solo home run to right field, restoring the four-run cushion at 5-1.

Seattle added an insurance run in the eighth in unconventional fashion. Luke Raley was hit by a pitch, and Victor Robles reached on a two-base error by right fielder Kerry Carpenter. Crawford then lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Raley to make it 6-1.

Any thought of a comfortable finish was erased in the top of the ninth when the Mariners provided what seemed to be knockout blows. Arozarena doubled, and Raleigh followed by crushing a two-run homer to left-center, pushing the lead to 8-1.

The Tigers, refusing to go quietly, mounted a rally in the bottom of the ninth against the Seattle bullpen. Jake Rogers singled and Jahmai Jones walked, bringing Spencer Torkelson to the plate. Torkelson laced a double to right field, clearing the bases and cutting the score to 8-3. Andy Ibanez then followed with a single to right, scoring Torkelson to make it 8-4.

The comeback attempt was snuffed out, however, when Parker Meadows lined into an unassisted double play at first base to end the game, securing the victory for Seattle after a game time of 2 hours, 57 minutes.

Beyond the home run hitters, the Mariners received key relief outings. Eduard Bazardo struck out two in a perfect inning of work, while Matt Brash and Andres Munoz each contributed a scoreless frame.

For the Tigers, reliever Keider Montero provided a bright spot, tossing 2 1/3 hitless innings with two strikeouts to keep the game within reach for a time.

The series resumes Wednesday with the Mariners looking to close it out and the Tigers fighting to force a decisive fifth game back in the Pacific Northwest.