Mariners Defeat Tigers in Record-Breaking 15-Inning Showdown to Move On to AL Championship Series in Over Two Decades
In a dramatic 15-inning contest, Jorge Polanco drove in the decisive score with a base hit to the outfield, clinching a 3-2 victory for the Seattle Mariners over the visiting squad in the decisive game of the ALDS.
Decisive Plays in the Extended Game
Luis Castillo, delivering his initial bullpen outing in the big leagues, pitched one and one-third innings to earn the victory, sending his team to the ALCS for the first time in over two decades.
Seattle will now compete against the Blue Jays for the championship in a contest between franchise counterparts. Game 1 is set for the weekend in the Blue Jays' home.
Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence
- The leadoff hitter initiated the final half of the last inning with a line-drive single to the outfield.
- Another batter was hit by a pitch, placing players on first and second.
- After a teammate flied out, a fielding mistake by the outfielder let the runner to take third.
- Following an intentional walk, the batter connected on a 3-2 pitch to conclude the game.
Scoring Highlights and Defensive Efforts
A Tigers hitter provided all of the visitors' offense with a two-run homer in the sixth inning.
Seattle evened the score at 2-2 in the later inning on a substitute batter's run-scoring hit.
Both teams threatened repeatedly in extra innings, with the home team grounding into twin killings in both the 12th and 13th.
Opening Hurlers Duel
Tarik Skubal and George Kirby engaged in a pitchers' duel in the early innings.
Skubal, a pitching honor contender, gave up a single score on a couple of hits with zero bases on balls and double-digit K's over multiple frames. He established a postseason record with seven consecutive strikeouts.
His sole allowed score came in the second inning, when a two-base hit, theft, and sacrifice fly scored a run for the Mariners.
The Mariners' pitcher began with shutout frames before allowing a lead-off double in the sixth. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter went deep on a fastball to hand Detroit the advantage.
Kirby went five-plus innings and was charged with a single score on a few hits with no walks and several K's.
The win marks a significant achievement for the Mariners, who advance to battle for a spot in the World Series after a long playoff drought.
