SEATTLE (Interstat) — In a stunning and decisive turn of events, the Seattle Mariners erupted for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, capped by a Eugenio Suárez grand slam, to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 on Friday night, seizing control of their American League Division Series.

A sold-out crowd of 46,758 at a raucous T-Mobile Park watched the Mariners overcome a late one-run deficit to take a three-games-to-two lead in the best-of-seven series. After dropping two lopsided games at home, Seattle is now one victory away from advancing to the American League Championship Series.

The game was a tense, pitcher-dominated affair for seven innings before the Mariners’ offense exploded against the Toronto bullpen.

The Blue Jays, who had clawed back to tie the series with consecutive offensive explosions, were held to seven hits and failed to capitalize on several early scoring opportunities. The loss drops their postseason record to 99-72, while the Mariners improved to 96-76.

The winning pitcher was Seattle reliever Gabe Speier, who improved to 5-4. Toronto’s Brendon Little, who was charged with the decisive runs in the eighth, took the loss, falling to 4-3.

For much of the game, it appeared that Toronto’s methodical approach would prevail. The Mariners struck first in the second inning when Suárez launched a solo home run to left-center field off Toronto starter José Berríos, giving Seattle an early 1-0 lead.

Toronto, however, patiently chipped away. They tied the game in the fifth inning against Seattle reliever Matt Brash. Addison Barger led off with a single, was bunted to second by Andrés Giménez, and scored on a sharp RBI double by George Springer.

An inning later, the Blue Jays took their first lead. Alejandro Kirk doubled to right field and was driven in by a line-drive single from Ernie Clement, putting Toronto ahead 2-1.

That slim margin held into the bottom of the eighth, as both teams’ pitching staffs navigated threats. Toronto squandered a golden opportunity in the fourth inning, loading the bases with no outs only to see Nathan Lukes thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice and then Ernie Clement ground into an inning-ending double play.

The narrative of the game, and perhaps the series, flipped dramatically in the bottom of the eighth. Facing Little, Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh led off the inning by crushing a game-tying solo home run to left field, electrifying the home crowd.

The rally was far from over. Jorge Polanco worked a walk, and Josh Naylor followed with another. After a pitching change, Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with no outs and bringing Suárez to the plate.

On a 1-1 pitch, Suárez connected, sending a towering drive to right field that cleared the wall for a grand slam. The blow sent T-Mobile Park into a frenzy and turned a one-run deficit into a 6-2 Seattle lead almost instantly.

The grand slam was Suárez’s third home run of the postseason and the defining moment of the series to date. It rendered Toronto’s ninth inning a mere formality, which Seattle reliever Andrés Muñoz handled with ease, retiring the side in order.

The victory defied pregame projections from Interstat, which had favored Toronto with an 8-5 final score prediction and had installed the Blue Jays as a -1.5 run favorite. The combined eight total runs went under the pregame over/under line of 7.5.

The series now shifts back to Toronto for Game 6 on Sunday at Rogers Centre. The Mariners will have their first opportunity to clinch the series, while the Blue Jays, who won two must-win games in Seattle earlier this week, must win at home to force a decisive Game 7 on Monday.

The pressure rests squarely on the Blue Jays, who must rediscover their offensive firepower to extend their season against a resilient Mariners team that has proven its mettle in a pivotal Game 5.