Seattle Mariners Edge Detroit Tigers in Historic Extra-Inning Showdown to Advance to AL Championship Series in Over Two Decades
During an intense 15-inning battle, the Mariners' infielder delivered the winning run with a single to the outfield, sealing a 3-2 win for the Seattle Mariners over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the ALDS.
Decisive Plays in the Marathon Game
The Mariners pitcher, making his initial bullpen outing in the major leagues, pitched one and one-third innings to secure the victory, sending his team to the ALCS for the initial occasion since 2001.
Seattle will now compete against the Blue Jays for the pennant in a showdown between franchise counterparts. The series opener is set for Sunday in Toronto.
15th Inning Breakthrough
- The leadoff hitter started the final half of the last inning with a line-drive single to the outfield.
- Another batter was struck by a throw, placing runners on the bases.
- After Cal Raleigh flied out, a throwing error by the center fielder let the runner to advance.
- Following an strategic base on balls, Polanco singled on a full count to conclude the contest.
Scoring Highlights and Pitching Efforts
Kerry Carpenter provided all of Detroit's scoring with a home run in the middle frames.
Seattle tied it at 2-2 in the seventh on a substitute batter's RBI single.
Both teams posed a danger multiple times in extra innings, with the Mariners hitting into inning-ending double plays in both the 12th and 13th.
Opening Hurlers Duel
The Tigers' ace and the Mariners' starter delivered a low-scoring battle in the opening frames.
Skubal, a pitching honor contender, allowed one run on two hits with no walks and 13 strikeouts over six innings. He established a playoff mark with seven consecutive strikeouts.
His sole allowed score occurred in the early going, when a two-base hit, theft, and deep out brought home a point for the home side.
The Mariners' pitcher opened with shutout frames before surrendering a lead-off double in the sixth. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter homered on a pitch to give Detroit the advantage.
The starter went five-plus innings and was charged with a single score on a few hits with no walks and several K's.
This victory marks a major achievement for the Mariners, who move forward to battle for a place in the World Series after a extended postseason absence.
