Seattle Mariners Edge Detroit Tigers in Record-Breaking Extra-Inning Thriller to Move On to AL Championship Series in Over Two Decades
Through a gripping extra-inning clash, the Mariners' infielder delivered the winning run with a base hit to right field, sealing a 3-2 victory for the Seattle Mariners over the visiting squad in Game 5 of the ALDS.
Key Moments in the Marathon Game
The Mariners pitcher, delivering his initial bullpen outing in the major leagues, threw over an inning to earn the win, propelling his team to the ALCS for the first time since 2001.
Seattle will now face the Blue Jays for the championship in a showdown between 1977 expansion counterparts. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday in Toronto.
15th Inning Game-Winning Sequence
- The leadoff hitter initiated the bottom of the last inning with a line-drive single to right field.
- Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, putting players on the bases.
- After a teammate made an out, a throwing error by the center fielder let Crawford to take third.
- Following an intentional walk, the batter connected on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.
Scoring Highlights and Pitching Performances
A Tigers hitter accounted for all of the visitors' offense with a home run in the sixth inning.
Seattle evened the score at two runs apiece in the later inning on a pinch hitter's run-scoring hit.
Both teams posed a danger multiple times in extra innings, with the home team grounding into twin killings in both the later extra innings.
Starting Pitchers Battle
The Tigers' ace and the Mariners' starter delivered a low-scoring battle in the early innings.
Skubal, a Cy Young Award favorite, gave up one run on a couple of hits with no walks and 13 strikeouts over multiple frames. He set a playoff mark with seven consecutive strikeouts.
The only run occurred in the second inning, when a double, theft, and sacrifice fly scored a run for the Mariners.
The Mariners' pitcher began with five scoreless innings before allowing a early hit in the middle inning. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter homered on a fastball to hand the visitors the lead.
Kirby went five-plus innings and was charged with one run on three hits with zero free passes and six strikeouts.
This victory signifies a major milestone for the Mariners, who advance to battle for a place in the championship after a extended postseason absence.