DETROIT (Interstat) — Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer, Eugenio Suarez and J.P. Crawford had solo shots and the Seattle Mariners beat the Detroit Tigers 8-4 on Tuesday afternoon to take a 2-1 lead in the AL Division Series.

Backed by a strong start from Logan Gilbert and a trio of home runs, the Mariners moved within a win of their first AL Championship Series since 2001. Their first chance to advance is on Wednesday afternoon in Game 4 at Comerica Park. If necessary, a decisive Game 5 would be played on Friday in Seattle.

Gilbert was the story early, giving up one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking none over six dominant innings to earn the win. He set the tone for a Mariners pitching staff that largely stifled the Tigers’ offense until a late rally.

Seattle’s offense chipped away at Tigers starter Jack Flaherty, who took the loss, before breaking the game open late. The Mariners struck first in the third inning. Victor Robles led off with a double and scored when J.P. Crawford singled and advanced to second on a throwing error by left fielder Riley Greene. Crawford then came home on a Randy Arozarena single to give Seattle a 2-0 lead.

The power display began in the fourth when Suarez launched a solo home run to left center field. Later in the inning, with two runners on, Raleigh delivered a clutch single to center to score Dominic Canzone, pushing the advantage to 4-0.

Crawford joined the home run party in the sixth inning, taking Brant Hurter deep to right field for a solo shot that made it 5-1.

The Mariners added an insurance run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly from Crawford before putting the game out of reach in the ninth. After a double from Arozarena, Raleigh connected for his two-run homer to left center, extending the lead to 8-1.

Detroit, held to just one run through the first eight innings, mounted a last-ditch effort in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Jake Rogers singled and Jahmai Jones walked, setting the stage for Spencer Torkelson, who cleared the bases with a two-run double. Andy Ibáñez followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 8-4.

The comeback attempt ended abruptly, however, as Parker Meadows lined into an unassisted double play to first baseman Josh Naylor to seal the Seattle victory.

The game lasted 2 hours, 57 minutes and was played before an announced crowd of 41,525 at Comerica Park.

With the win, Seattle improved to 92-73 on the season, while Detroit fell to 90-78. The Mariners’ victory defied the pregame projections, as the total of 12 runs sailed over the set over/under line of 7.5.