🔗 Share this article Mariners Outlast Tigers in Historic 15-Inning Showdown to Advance to AL Championship Series in 24 Years During an intense 15-inning clash, the Mariners' infielder drove in the decisive score with a single to the outfield, sealing a 3-2 win for the home team over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. Key Moments in the Extended Matchup The Mariners pitcher, delivering his first relief appearance in the big leagues, threw one and one-third innings to secure the win, propelling his team to the ALCS for the initial occasion since 2001. Seattle will now compete against the Blue Jays for the championship in a contest between franchise counterparts. The series opener is set for Sunday in the Blue Jays' home. 15th Inning Breakthrough JP Crawford initiated the bottom of the last inning with a line-drive single to right field. Another batter was struck by a throw, placing runners on the bases. After a teammate flied out, a fielding mistake by the outfielder allowed the runner to take third. Following an intentional walk, Polanco singled on a full count to conclude the contest. Scoring Highlights and Pitching Performances Kerry Carpenter accounted for all of the visitors' offense with a two-run homer in the middle frames. Seattle evened the score at two runs apiece in the later inning on a pinch hitter's RBI single. Each squad posed a danger multiple times in extra innings, with the home team hitting into twin killings in both the 12th and 13th. Opening Hurlers Battle Tarik Skubal and George Kirby delivered a pitchers' duel in the early innings. Skubal, a pitching honor favorite, allowed one run on two hits with no walks and double-digit K's over six innings. He set a postseason record with back-to-back K's. His sole allowed score occurred in the second inning, when a two-base hit, theft, and deep out scored a run for the home side. Kirby opened with five scoreless innings before surrendering a lead-off double in the sixth. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter went deep on a pitch to hand the visitors the advantage. The starter went five-plus innings and was responsible for a single score on three hits with zero free passes and six strikeouts. The win signifies a major milestone for the Seattle franchise, who move forward to compete for a place in the World Series after a extended playoff drought.