Seattle Mariners Outlast Tigers in Historic Extra-Inning Showdown to Advance to AL Championship Series in Over Two Decades

During an intense 15-inning contest, Jorge Polanco delivered the decisive score with a single to right field, clinching a 3-2 win for the home team over the visiting squad in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.

Key Moments in the Extended Matchup

Luis Castillo, making his first relief appearance in the big leagues, pitched one and one-third innings to secure the victory, sending his team to the AL Championship Series for the first time in over two decades.

Seattle will now face the Toronto for the pennant in a showdown between franchise counterparts. The series opener is set for Sunday in the Blue Jays' home.

Final Inning Breakthrough

• The leadoff hitter started the bottom of the last inning with a sharp hit 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 outfielder allowed Crawford to take third.
• Following an intentional walk, the batter singled on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.

Key Runs and Pitching Efforts

Kerry Carpenter accounted for all of the visitors' scoring with a home run in the sixth inning.

Seattle evened the score at two runs apiece in the seventh on a substitute batter's run-scoring hit.

Each squad posed a danger repeatedly in extra innings, with the Mariners hitting into inning-ending double plays in both the later extra innings.

Opening Hurlers Duel

The Tigers' ace and George Kirby engaged in a low-scoring battle in the opening frames.

The left-hander, a pitching honor favorite, 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 came in the second inning, when a double, theft, and sacrifice fly scored a point for the home side.

The Mariners' pitcher opened with five scoreless innings before allowing a lead-off double in the middle inning. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter homered on a pitch to hand the visitors the lead.

The starter lasted five-plus innings and was charged with one run on three hits with zero free passes and six strikeouts.

This victory marks a significant achievement for the Seattle franchise, who advance to battle for a place in the World Series after a long playoff drought.