Seattle Mariners Outlast Tigers in Record-Breaking Extra-Inning Showdown to Advance to AL Championship Series in 24 Years
During an intense 15-inning battle, Jorge Polanco drove in the decisive score with a base hit to the outfield, sealing a narrow victory for the home team over the visiting squad in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.
Decisive Plays in the Marathon Matchup
The Mariners pitcher, making his initial bullpen outing in the big leagues, threw one and one-third innings to secure the win, sending his team to the ALCS for the initial occasion in over two decades.
The Mariners will now compete against the Toronto for the pennant in a showdown between 1977 expansion counterparts. The series opener is set for the weekend in the Blue Jays' home.
Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence
- JP Crawford started the bottom of the last inning with a sharp hit to right field.
- Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, putting runners on the bases.
- After Cal Raleigh flied out, a fielding mistake by the outfielder let Crawford to take third.
- Following an strategic base on balls, the batter singled on a 3-2 pitch to end the contest.
Key Runs and Pitching Performances
A Tigers hitter provided all of the visitors' scoring with a home run in the middle frames.
Seattle evened the score at two runs apiece in the later inning on a substitute batter's run-scoring hit.
Both teams posed a danger repeatedly in overtime, with the Mariners hitting into inning-ending double plays in both the later extra innings.
Starting Pitchers Duel
The Tigers' ace and the Mariners' starter delivered a pitchers' duel in the early innings.
The left-hander, a Cy Young Award favorite, allowed one run on two hits with zero bases on balls and double-digit K's over six innings. He established a playoff mark with back-to-back K's.
The only run occurred in the second inning, when a two-base hit, theft, and deep out scored a run for the Mariners.
Kirby began with five scoreless innings before surrendering a early hit in the sixth. After a bullpen move, the Tigers batter homered on a fastball to hand the visitors the advantage.
The starter went over five frames and was responsible for one run on a few hits with zero free passes and several K's.
This victory signifies a significant milestone for the Mariners, who move forward to battle for a place in the championship after a long postseason absence.