🔗 Share this article

In a dramatic extra-inning battle, Jorge Polanco drove in the decisive score with a base hit to the outfield, clinching a narrow win for the Seattle Mariners over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.

Decisive Plays in the Marathon Matchup

Luis Castillo, making his first relief appearance in the big leagues, threw one and one-third innings to earn the win, sending his team to the ALCS for the initial occasion in over two decades.

Seattle will now compete against the Blue Jays for the championship in a contest between franchise counterparts. The series opener is scheduled for the weekend in Toronto.

Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence

• JP Crawford started the final half of the 15th with a line-drive single to right field.
• Another batter was hit by a pitch, putting players on the bases.
• After a teammate made an out, a fielding mistake by the outfielder allowed the runner to advance.
• Following an intentional walk, the batter singled on a full count to conclude the game.

Scoring Highlights and Pitching Efforts

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

The Mariners tied it at 2-2 in the seventh on a pinch hitter's run-scoring hit.

Each squad threatened multiple times in overtime, with the home team hitting into inning-ending double plays in both the 12th and 13th.

Starting Pitchers Duel

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

The left-hander, a pitching honor favorite, allowed a single score on a couple of hits with zero bases on balls and 13 strikeouts over multiple frames. He set a playoff mark with seven consecutive strikeouts.

The only run came in the early going, when a double, theft, and sacrifice fly scored a point for the home side.

Kirby opened with five scoreless innings before allowing a lead-off double in the middle inning. After a pitching change, Carpenter went deep on a fastball to hand Detroit the advantage.

Kirby went over five frames and was charged with a single score on three hits with no walks and several K's.

This victory marks a significant milestone for the Seattle franchise, who move forward to compete for a spot in the championship after a extended playoff drought.