Mariners get strong pitching from Gilbert, 3 HRs to take ALDS lead over Tigers

The Seattle Mariners defeated the Tigers, 8-4, in Detroit on Tuesday to take a 2-1 lead in the ALDS.

One more win in the best-of-five series will advance the Mariners to the ALCS for the first time since 2001. Their first crack at reaching the MLB semifinals comes Wednesday.

Tuesday’s game was delayed several hours because of inclement weather, but that seemed to have no impact on Seattle starter Logan Gilbert. He went six strong innings, yielding just four hits while striking out seven on 85 pitches. Gilbert did not issue a walk and gave up one run (in the fifth inning).

The Mariners gave Gilbert early run support with two runs in the third, and he was boosted further by solo home runs from Eugenio Suarez in the fourth and No. 9 hitter J.P. Crawford in the sixth.

MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh extended the lead to 8-1 with a two-run blast in the top of the ninth, runs that proved useful as things got hairy in the bottom of the ninth with Caleb Ferguson on the mound. Closer Andres Munoz quelled the fire, though, and the Mariners held on.

Detroit is slated to start former No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize on Wednesday with its season on the line. The Mariners’ Game 4 starter is still to be determined.