October 1, 2021

By Jacques Lanciault

Canadian Baseball Network

The Seattle Mariners held a slim 3-2 lead over the Oakland A's in the eighth inning on Wednesday when Canadian Abraham Toro walked to the plate and belted a solo home run off right-hander Sergio Romo to give his club a two-run lead.

It was the Longueuil Que., native’s fifth home run with the Mariners since he was acquired from the Houston Astros on July 27. He also had six with the Astros earlier in the season to give him 11 for the campaign.

Toro, who is batting .255 with 55 hits in 57 games with the Mariners, has helped the club to an 89-70 record and they are now tied with the Boston Red Sox for the final American League Wild Card position heading into the season’s final weekend.

The Mariners will play three games against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field to close out the season. The Red Sox will battle the Washington Nationals in their final three contests, while the Toronto Blue Jays, who sit one game back of the Mariners and Red Sox, will take on the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre.

It's been 19 years since the Mariners have been in the playoffs. It’s the longest active playoff drought in the majors.