Seattle Mariners Outlast Tigers in Record-Breaking Extra-Inning Thriller to Advance to AL Championship Series in Over Two Decades

Through a gripping 15-inning contest, Jorge Polanco drove in the decisive score with a base hit to right field, clinching a 3-2 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

Luis Castillo, making his first relief appearance in the major leagues, pitched one and one-third innings to earn the win, sending his team to the ALCS for the first time since 2001.

Seattle will now face the Toronto for the championship in a showdown between 1977 expansion counterparts. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday in the Blue Jays' home.

15th Inning Game-Winning Sequence

• JP Crawford started the bottom of the 15th with a sharp hit to right field.
• Randy Arozarena was struck by a throw, putting runners on first and second.
• After a teammate made an 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 game.

Scoring Highlights and Pitching Efforts

Kerry Carpenter accounted for all of the visitors' offense with a two-run homer in the middle frames.

The Mariners evened the score at 2-2 in the later inning on a substitute batter's run-scoring hit.

Both teams posed a danger repeatedly in extra innings, with the home team hitting into twin killings in both the 12th and 13th.

Starting Pitchers Battle

The Tigers' ace and George Kirby delivered a pitchers' duel in the opening frames.

Skubal, a pitching honor contender, allowed one run on a couple of hits with zero bases on balls and 13 strikeouts over multiple frames. He established a postseason record with back-to-back K's.

His sole allowed score came in the early going, when a double, stolen base, and sacrifice fly scored a point for the Mariners.

Kirby began with five scoreless innings before surrendering a lead-off double in the middle inning. After a bullpen move, Carpenter went deep on a fastball to give the visitors the advantage.

Kirby went five-plus innings and was charged with a single score on a few hits with no walks and several K's.

This victory signifies a major achievement for the Seattle franchise, who move forward to compete for a spot in the World Series after a extended postseason absence.