Seattle Mariners Outlast Detroit Tigers in Historic 15-Inning Showdown to Advance to First ALCS in Over Two Decades
In a dramatic extra-inning battle, Jorge Polanco delivered the decisive score with a base hit to right field, sealing a narrow win for the Seattle Mariners over the visiting squad in the decisive game of the American League Division Series.
Key Moments in the Extended Matchup
The Mariners pitcher, delivering his initial bullpen outing in the big leagues, pitched over an inning to earn the victory, sending his team to the ALCS for the first time since 2001.
Seattle will now compete against the Toronto for the championship in a showdown between 1977 expansion brethren. Game 1 is scheduled for the weekend in the Blue Jays' home.
Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence
- JP Crawford started the bottom of the 15th with a line-drive single to right field.
- Another batter was struck by a throw, placing runners on first and second.
- After a teammate made an out, a throwing error by the outfielder let the runner to advance.
- Following an strategic base on balls, the batter singled on a full count to conclude the contest.
Key Runs and Defensive Efforts
Kerry Carpenter provided all of Detroit's offense with a home run in the middle frames.
Seattle evened the score at 2-2 in the later inning on a substitute batter's RBI single.
Both teams threatened multiple times in extra innings, with the Mariners hitting into twin killings in both the later extra innings.
Starting Pitchers Duel
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 two hits with zero bases on balls and double-digit K's over six innings. He established a playoff mark with seven consecutive strikeouts.
His sole allowed score occurred in the second inning, when a double, theft, and sacrifice fly scored a point for the Mariners.
Kirby opened with five scoreless innings before surrendering a early hit in the middle inning. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter went deep on a fastball to give Detroit the advantage.
Kirby lasted over five frames and was responsible for one run on a few hits with no walks and several K's.
The win signifies a major achievement for the Seattle franchise, who move forward to compete for a spot in the World Series after a long playoff drought.
