Mariners Outlast Detroit Tigers in Historic Extra-Inning Thriller to Move On to AL Championship Series in 24 Years
Through a gripping extra-inning clash, Jorge Polanco drove in the winning run with a single to the outfield, clinching a 3-2 victory for the home team over the Detroit Tigers in the decisive game of the American League Division Series.
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 initial occasion since 2001.
The Mariners will now face the Toronto for the championship in a showdown between franchise counterparts. The series opener is set for Sunday in the Blue Jays' home.
Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence
- The leadoff hitter 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 first and second.
- After Cal Raleigh made an out, a throwing error by the outfielder allowed Crawford to advance.
- Following an strategic base on balls, the batter singled on a 3-2 pitch to end the contest.
Key Runs and Pitching Efforts
Kerry Carpenter provided all of the visitors' offense with a two-run homer in the middle frames.
Seattle tied it at 2-2 in the later inning on a pinch hitter's run-scoring hit.
Each squad posed a danger multiple times in overtime, with the Mariners hitting into twin killings in both the later extra innings.
Opening Hurlers Battle
The Tigers' ace and George Kirby delivered a pitchers' duel in the early innings.
The left-hander, a Cy Young Award favorite, allowed a single score on a couple of hits with zero bases on balls 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 early going, when a double, stolen base, and sacrifice fly scored a run for the Mariners.
Kirby began with shutout frames before surrendering a lead-off double in the middle inning. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter went deep on a pitch to hand the visitors the lead.
Kirby went five-plus innings and was charged with a single score on three hits with no walks and six strikeouts.
The win marks a major achievement for the Seattle franchise, who advance to battle for a place in the championship after a extended playoff drought.
