Seattle Mariners Edge Detroit Tigers in Historic Extra-Inning Showdown to Advance to AL Championship Series in Over Two Decades
In a dramatic extra-inning battle, Jorge Polanco drove in the winning run with a single to the outfield, sealing a narrow win for the Seattle Mariners over the visiting squad in Game 5 of the ALDS.
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 win, propelling his team to the AL Championship Series for the initial occasion since 2001.
The Mariners will now face the Blue Jays for the championship in a contest between 1977 expansion brethren. The series opener is set for Sunday in Toronto.
Final Inning Breakthrough
- JP Crawford initiated the final half of the last inning with a sharp hit to the outfield.
- Another batter was struck by a throw, placing runners on first and second.
- After a teammate flied out, a fielding mistake by the center fielder allowed Crawford to take third.
- Following an strategic base on balls, Polanco connected on a full count to conclude the contest.
Key Runs and Pitching Efforts
A Tigers hitter provided all of the visitors' offense with a home run in the sixth inning.
Seattle evened the score at two runs apiece in the seventh on a substitute batter's RBI single.
Both teams threatened repeatedly in overtime, with the home team grounding into inning-ending double plays in both the 12th and 13th.
Opening Hurlers Battle
The Tigers' ace and George Kirby delivered a low-scoring battle in the opening frames.
Skubal, a Cy Young Award favorite, gave up 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 back-to-back K's.
His sole allowed score occurred in the early going, when a two-base hit, theft, and deep out brought home a run for the home side.
Kirby opened with five scoreless innings before surrendering a early hit in the middle inning. After a bullpen move, Carpenter went deep on a fastball to give Detroit the lead.
The starter lasted over five frames and was charged with one run on three hits with no walks and six strikeouts.
The win marks a major achievement for the Seattle franchise, who advance to battle for a spot in the World Series after a extended postseason absence.
