Mariners Edge Tigers in Record-Breaking Extra-Inning Thriller to Advance to AL Championship Series in Over Two Decades

In a dramatic 15-inning contest, Jorge Polanco drove in the winning run with a base hit to the outfield, sealing a 3-2 win for the home team over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the ALDS.

Key Moments in the Marathon Matchup

The Mariners pitcher, making his initial bullpen outing in the big leagues, pitched over an inning to earn the win, propelling his team to the AL Championship Series for the initial occasion in over two decades.

The Mariners will now face the Toronto for the championship in a showdown between 1977 expansion brethren. The series opener is scheduled for the weekend in Toronto.

15th Inning Game-Winning Sequence

• JP Crawford initiated the final half of the last inning with a sharp hit to the outfield.
• Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, putting runners on the bases.
• After a teammate flied out, a throwing error by the outfielder allowed the runner to advance.
• Following an strategic base on balls, the batter singled on a full count to conclude the contest.

Scoring Highlights and Defensive Performances

Kerry Carpenter provided all of Detroit's scoring with a two-run homer in the sixth inning.

Seattle tied it at 2-2 in the seventh on a pinch hitter's RBI single.

Both teams threatened multiple times in extra innings, with the home team grounding into inning-ending double plays in both the 12th and 13th.

Starting Pitchers Battle

The Tigers' ace and George Kirby delivered a low-scoring battle in the early innings.

Skubal, a pitching honor favorite, gave up a single score on a couple of hits with no walks and 13 strikeouts over multiple frames. He set a postseason record with seven consecutive strikeouts.

His sole allowed score occurred in the early going, when a two-base hit, theft, and deep out scored a point for the Mariners.

Kirby began with five scoreless innings before allowing a early hit in the sixth. After a pitching change, Carpenter went deep on a fastball to hand the visitors the advantage.

Kirby went over five frames and was charged with a single score on a few hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

The win signifies a major milestone for the Seattle franchise, who advance to compete for a place in the championship after a long playoff drought.