Mariners Outlast Detroit Tigers in Historic Extra-Inning Thriller to Move On to AL Championship Series in Over Two Decades
In a dramatic extra-inning battle, the Mariners' infielder delivered the winning run with a single to right field, clinching a narrow win for the home team over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the ALDS.
Decisive Plays in the Extended Game
The Mariners pitcher, making his initial bullpen outing in the major leagues, threw over an inning to secure the victory, propelling his team to the ALCS for the first time since 2001.
Seattle will now compete against the Blue Jays for the championship in a showdown between franchise brethren. The series opener is set for Sunday in Toronto.
Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence
- JP Crawford started the final half of the last inning with a line-drive single to the outfield.
- Another batter was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second.
- After Cal Raleigh flied out, a fielding mistake by the center fielder allowed Crawford to take third.
- Following an intentional walk, the batter singled on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.
Scoring Highlights and Pitching Performances
A Tigers hitter accounted for all of Detroit's offense with a home run in the sixth inning.
Seattle tied it at two runs apiece in the seventh on a pinch hitter's run-scoring hit.
Both teams posed a danger repeatedly in overtime, with the Mariners grounding into twin killings in both the later extra innings.
Starting Pitchers Duel
The Tigers' ace and George Kirby delivered a low-scoring battle in the opening frames.
Skubal, a Cy Young Award contender, gave up a single score on two hits with zero bases on balls and double-digit K's over six innings. He established a postseason record with back-to-back K's.
His sole allowed score came in the early going, when a two-base hit, stolen base, and sacrifice fly scored a point for the home side.
Kirby opened with five scoreless innings before surrendering a early hit in the middle inning. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter went deep on a pitch to give Detroit the lead.
The starter went five-plus innings and was responsible for a single score on a few hits with zero free passes and several K's.
The win marks a significant milestone for the Seattle franchise, who advance to compete for a place in the championship after a long playoff drought.