TORONTO (Interstat) — Bryce Miller outdueled Kevin Gausman with seven dominant innings, and the Seattle Mariners silenced a sold-out Rogers Centre to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Sunday in Game 1 of their playoff series.

Facing a Toronto lineup that managed just two hits all afternoon, Miller was the story. He allowed one run on those two hits, walking two and striking out five over 98 pitches to earn the win. His performance set the tone for a Mariners pitching staff that thoroughly stifled the Blue Jays’ offense.

The game began with a jolt of energy for the home crowd of 44,474 when George Springer launched a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the first inning, giving Toronto an early 1-0 lead. That early advantage, however, would be the entirety of the Blue Jays’ offensive output.

For five innings, Gausman matched Miller zero for zero after the first-inning run. The Seattle offense was held in check until the sixth. After two quick outs, Cal Raleigh changed the game with a solo home run to right-center field, tying the score at 1-1. Julio Rodríguez then worked a walk, and Jorge Polanco followed with a sharp line drive single to left field, scoring Rodríguez to give the Mariners a 2-1 lead.

Seattle added a critical insurance run in the eighth inning against the Toronto bullpen. Randy Arozarena and Rodríguez drew walks, and Polanco delivered again, this time with a ground ball single to right field that scored Arozarena.

Andrés Muñoz entered in the ninth for Seattle and retired the side in order, securing his 40th save of the season and closing out the victory in a game that took 2 hours and 48 minutes.

Gausman was charged with the loss, his record falling to 11-12. He pitched 5 2/3 innings, surrendering two runs on three hits while striking out five. Polanco was the offensive catalyst for the Mariners, finishing with two key singles and two RBIs.

The Mariners improved to 94-74 overall with the win, while the Blue Jays fell to 97-70. The teams will meet again in Toronto for Game 2 on Monday.