Mariners Outlast Detroit Tigers in Historic 15-Inning Thriller to Move On to AL Championship Series in Over Two Decades
During an intense 15-inning contest, Jorge Polanco drove in the decisive score with a single to right field, clinching a 3-2 victory for the Seattle Mariners over the visiting squad in the decisive game of the ALDS.
Key Moments in the Extended Game
The Mariners pitcher, delivering his first relief appearance in the big leagues, threw one and one-third innings to secure the win, sending his team to the AL Championship Series for the initial occasion in over two decades.
Seattle will now compete against the Toronto for the pennant in a showdown between franchise counterparts. The series opener is scheduled for the weekend in Toronto.
Final Inning Breakthrough
- The leadoff hitter started the bottom of the 15th with a line-drive single to right field.
- Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, putting runners on the bases.
- After a teammate made an out, a fielding mistake by the center fielder let Crawford to advance.
- Following an strategic base on balls, Polanco connected on a 3-2 pitch to conclude the contest.
Key Runs and Defensive Efforts
A Tigers hitter provided all of Detroit's scoring with a two-run homer in the middle frames.
Seattle evened the score at two runs apiece in the seventh on a substitute batter's RBI single.
Both teams threatened multiple times in extra innings, with the Mariners grounding into twin killings in both the later extra innings.
Starting Pitchers Battle
The Tigers' ace and George Kirby delivered a pitchers' duel in the opening frames.
Skubal, a pitching honor favorite, gave up a single score on two hits with zero bases on balls and 13 strikeouts over six innings. He established a playoff mark with seven consecutive strikeouts.
His sole allowed score occurred in the second inning, when a two-base hit, theft, and deep out scored a point for the Mariners.
The Mariners' pitcher opened with five scoreless innings before allowing a lead-off double in the sixth. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter homered on a pitch to hand Detroit the advantage.
Kirby lasted five-plus innings and was charged with one run on three hits with no walks and several K's.
The win marks a major achievement for the Mariners, who move forward to battle for a place in the World Series after a long playoff drought.
