Mariners Outlast Detroit Tigers in Historic 15-Inning Showdown to Advance to First ALCS in Over Two Decades
During an intense 15-inning contest, Jorge Polanco delivered the winning run with a base hit to right field, clinching a narrow victory for the Seattle Mariners over the Detroit Tigers in the decisive game of the American League Division Series.
Key Moments in the Marathon Game
The Mariners pitcher, making his initial bullpen outing in the major leagues, pitched over an inning to earn the victory, sending his team to the ALCS for the first time since 2001.
The Mariners will now face the Toronto for the championship in a showdown between franchise counterparts. The series opener is scheduled for Sunday in Toronto.
15th Inning Game-Winning Sequence
- The leadoff hitter started the bottom of the 15th with a line-drive single to right field.
- Another batter was struck by a throw, placing players on the bases.
- After a teammate made an out, a fielding mistake by the outfielder allowed Crawford to take third.
- Following an strategic base on balls, the batter singled on a 3-2 pitch to conclude the game.
Scoring Highlights and Pitching Efforts
A Tigers hitter accounted for all of Detroit's scoring with a two-run homer in the middle frames.
Seattle tied it at two runs apiece in the later inning on a substitute batter's run-scoring hit.
Each squad posed a danger multiple times in extra innings, with the Mariners grounding into twin killings in both the 12th and 13th.
Starting Pitchers Duel
Tarik Skubal and George Kirby delivered a pitchers' duel in the early innings.
Skubal, a Cy Young Award favorite, allowed a single score on a couple of hits with no walks and double-digit K's over multiple frames. He established a postseason record with seven consecutive strikeouts.
The only run came in the early going, when a double, stolen base, and deep out scored a point for the Mariners.
Kirby began with five scoreless innings before allowing a lead-off double in the sixth. After a bullpen move, the Tigers batter went deep on a pitch to give Detroit the lead.
The starter went over five frames and was responsible for a single score on a few hits with no walks and six strikeouts.
This victory marks a significant milestone for the Seattle franchise, who advance to battle for a spot in the championship after a extended postseason absence.