Seattle Mariners Outlast Tigers in Record-Breaking 15-Inning Thriller to Advance to AL Championship Series in Over Two Decades
Through a gripping extra-inning contest, the Mariners' infielder delivered the decisive score with a base hit to the outfield, sealing a narrow win for the home team over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.
Key Moments in the Extended Game
The Mariners pitcher, making his first relief appearance in the big leagues, threw one and one-third innings to secure the win, propelling his team to the AL Championship Series for the first time in over two decades.
The Mariners will now face the Toronto for the pennant in a showdown between franchise brethren. The series opener is set for Sunday in Toronto.
Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence
- JP Crawford started the bottom of the last inning with a line-drive single to right field.
- Another batter was hit by a pitch, placing players on first and second.
- After Cal Raleigh made an out, a throwing error by the center fielder let the runner to advance.
- Following an intentional walk, Polanco singled on a 3-2 pitch to conclude the contest.
Key Runs and Pitching Efforts
Kerry Carpenter provided all of Detroit's scoring with a two-run homer in the sixth inning.
Seattle tied it at two runs apiece in the later inning on a pinch hitter's RBI single.
Each squad threatened multiple times in extra innings, with the home team grounding into inning-ending double plays in both the later extra innings.
Starting Pitchers Battle
The Tigers' ace and George Kirby engaged in a pitchers' duel in the early innings.
Skubal, a pitching honor contender, gave up one run on a couple of hits with no walks and 13 strikeouts over six innings. He established a playoff mark with back-to-back K's.
The only run came in the early going, when a two-base hit, theft, and sacrifice fly scored a run for the home side.
The Mariners' pitcher began with five scoreless innings before allowing a lead-off double in the sixth. After a bullpen move, Carpenter homered on a fastball to hand Detroit the lead.
The starter went five-plus innings and was responsible for one run on a few hits with zero free passes and several K's.
The win marks a major milestone for the Seattle franchise, who move forward to battle for a spot in the World Series after a long postseason absence.