Seattle Mariners Defeat Tigers in Historic 15-Inning Thriller to Move On to First ALCS in 24 Years

Through a gripping extra-inning clash, Jorge Polanco delivered the winning run with a base hit to the outfield, clinching a narrow victory for the home team over the Detroit Tigers in the decisive game of the American League Division Series.

Key Moments in the Extended Matchup

The Mariners pitcher, making his initial bullpen outing in the big leagues, pitched over an inning to earn the victory, sending his team to the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2001.

The Mariners will now compete against the Toronto for the championship in a showdown between 1977 expansion brethren. The series opener is scheduled for Sunday in the Blue Jays' home.

15th Inning Breakthrough

  • The leadoff hitter started the final half of the last inning with a line-drive single to right field.
  • Randy Arozarena was struck by a throw, putting players on first and second.
  • After Cal Raleigh flied out, a fielding mistake by the outfielder let Crawford to take third.
  • Following an intentional walk, Polanco singled on a full count to conclude the game.

Scoring Highlights and Defensive Efforts

A Tigers hitter accounted for all of the visitors' scoring with a home run in the sixth inning.

The Mariners 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.

Starting Pitchers Duel

Tarik Skubal and George Kirby engaged in a pitchers' duel in the opening frames.

Skubal, a pitching honor contender, allowed a single score on two hits with zero bases on balls and 13 strikeouts over multiple frames. He established a playoff mark with seven consecutive strikeouts.

His sole allowed score occurred in the early going, when a double, theft, and deep out scored a run 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 went deep on a pitch to hand Detroit the advantage.

The starter went over five frames and was responsible for a single score on a few hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

This victory signifies a major milestone for the Seattle franchise, who advance to battle for a place in the World Series after a long playoff drought.

Ruth Murphy
Ruth Murphy

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