Seattle Mariners Outlast Tigers in Record-Breaking 15-Inning Thriller to Advance to AL Championship Series in 24 Years
In a dramatic 15-inning contest, Jorge Polanco drove in the winning run with a single to the outfield, clinching a narrow victory for the home team over the Detroit Tigers in the decisive game of the American League Division Series.
Decisive Plays in the Extended Matchup
The Mariners pitcher, delivering his initial bullpen outing in the big leagues, threw over an inning to earn the win, sending his team to the ALCS for the first time in over two decades.
The Mariners will now face the Toronto for the championship in a contest between 1977 expansion brethren. Game 1 is scheduled for the weekend in Toronto.
Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence
- JP Crawford initiated the final half of the last inning with a line-drive single to the outfield.
- Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, placing players on the bases.
- After Cal Raleigh flied out, a throwing error by the outfielder allowed the runner to advance.
- Following an intentional walk, the batter connected on a full count to end the contest.
Scoring Highlights and Pitching Performances
Kerry Carpenter accounted for all of Detroit's scoring with a home run in the sixth inning.
Seattle evened the score at 2-2 in the seventh on a substitute batter's RBI single.
Each squad threatened multiple times in extra innings, with the home team grounding into inning-ending double plays in both the 12th and 13th.
Starting Pitchers Duel
The Tigers' ace and George Kirby engaged in a low-scoring battle in the early innings.
Skubal, a pitching honor favorite, allowed one run on two hits with no walks and double-digit K's over six innings. He established a playoff mark with seven consecutive strikeouts.
The only run came in the early going, when a two-base hit, theft, and sacrifice fly brought home a point for the Mariners.
Kirby began with shutout frames before surrendering a early hit in the sixth. After a bullpen move, Carpenter homered on a fastball to give the visitors the lead.
Kirby went over five frames and was responsible for a single score on a few hits with no walks and several K's.
This victory marks a significant achievement for the Mariners, who advance to battle for a place in the World Series after a long playoff drought.
