Seattle Mariners Win 15-Inning Marathon Over Detroit Tigers To Advance To ALCS
Jorge Polanco hit a game-winning RBI single in the 15th inning to give the Seattle Mariners a 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. The victory means Seattle will move on to the American League Championship Series to face the Toronto Blue Jays for a chance to go to the 2025 World Series. The game was a grueling pitchers’ duel that ended as the longest deciding game in MLB postseason history. Here’s what went down on Friday night.
Skubal Sets Record, But Mariners’ Staff Is Deeper
The two teams used a combined 15 pitchers in a what will be remembered as one of the most incredible pitching displays in baseball history. Detroit starter Tarik Skubal put on a clinic, striking out 13 batters over six innings of one-run ball. He only gave up two hits and did not walk a batter. What’s more, Skubal set an MLB postseason record by striking out seven consecutive Seattle hitters. The Tigers’ pitching staff struck out 20 batters on the night.
Despite all of that, Detroit’s pitching staff blinked first in extra innings. Their eighth pitcher of the game, Tommy Kahnle, started the bottom of the 15th inning by giving up a leadoff single to J.P. Crawford. After hitting Randy Arozarena with a pitch, Seattle slugger Cal Raleigh lined out to center fielder Parker Meadows. Meadows’ throwing error, however, allowed the runners to move to second and third. After intentionally walking Julio Rodriguez, Polanco came through with the game-winning single to right field, driving home Crawford.
Mariners’ starter George Kirby went five innings and only gave up one run on three hits. He also did not walk a batter and struck out six. Gabe Speier replaced Kirby in the sixth and gave up the only other Detroit run. Seattle’s staff would then string together nine-and-one-third scoreless innings to close out the win. Luis Castillo, the Mariners’ Game Two starter, pitched the final inning-and-a-third for the win. Seattle pitchers struck out 17 Tiger hitters.
Seattle Strikes First and Last
The Mariners scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning. Josh Naylor hit a one-out double and then, with Seattle DH Mitch Garver at the plate, stole third base. Garver then drove a 2-2 pitch from Skubal to center field for a sacrifice fly. Neither team would score again until the top of the sixth inning. Kirby surrendered a leadoff double to Javier Baez before being removed in favor of Speier. The next batter, Kerry Carpenter, drove Speier’s second pitch over the center field wall for a two-run homer and a 2-1 Detroit lead.
The Mariners tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Kyle Finnegan issued a one-out walk to Polanco and then two batters later, a single to Naylor. Pinch-hitter Leonardo Rivas then delivered a two-out RBI single to left, bringing home Polanco. Finnegan would get the next batter, Victor Robles, to ground into a fielder’s choice to end the threat. Both teams’ pitching staffs would then take turns putting up scoreless innings until Polanco finally came through in the bottom of the 15th.
Top Offensive Performances
Even though pitching ruled the night, both teams had outstanding hitting performances as well. Josh Naylor went 3-for-6 with a double, two singles, a stolen base, and a run scored to lead Seattle. Detroit’s Kerry Carpenter had a game for the ages, though. In the loss, Carpenter reached base six times. He had three singles, a two-run homer, and two walks in seven plate appearances. The last player to hit a homer and reach base five or more times in a winner-take-all playoff game was Babe Ruth in 1926.
Next Stop, the ALCS
With the win, the Mariners get Saturday off before taking on the Blue Jays in Toronto on Sunday in Game 1 of the ALCS. Neither team has announced its starting pitcher for the game. Seattle used starters Kirby, Castillo, and Logan Gilbert in Friday night’s game. Bryce Miller started Wednesday’s game and went 4.1 innings. He could be forced into action on three days’ rest. Mariners Starting Pitcher Bryan Woo is the Mariners’ other starter. He was kept off the ALDS roster while recovering from inflammation in his right pectoral muscle. He threw a bullpen session on Friday and could be added to Seattle’s roster for the next playoff round if everything went well.
Toronto pitched a bullpen game on Wednesday as they closed out the New York Yankees. That would mean that Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and rookie Trey Yesavage are all available to start. The Blue Jays could also add Max Scherzer and/or Chris Bassitt to their ALCS roster, which must be set by 10 a.m. Sunday.
Two other names that could be added to that ALCS roster are star shortstop Bo Bichette and 1B/DH Ty France. It is unclear if Bichette, who suffered a PCL sprain in his left knee in early September, is ready to go. As of Wednesday, he was still not cleared to play. France, dealing with a left oblique injury, appears to be ready to go.
