The Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers delivered one of the most unforgettable postseason battles in recent memory on Friday night. In a game that stretched 15 innings and became the longest winner-take-all contest in MLB history, the Mariners prevailed 3–2 on a walk-off single by Jorge Polanco, clinching their first trip to the American League Championship Series since 2001.
Early Duel: Skubal and Kirby Shine
Tigers ace Tarik Skubal and Mariners right-hander George Kirby were brilliant from the outset. Seattle struck first in the second inning when Mitch Garver’s sacrifice fly scored Josh Naylor, giving the home crowd early life.
Skubal was nearly unhittable, racking up 13 strikeouts—including seven straight, a postseason record—over six innings of two-hit baseball. But his dominance wasn’t enough to stop Seattle’s persistence.
Carpenter’s Blast Puts Detroit Ahead
In the top of the sixth, Kerry Carpenter turned on a hanging slider from reliever Gabe Speier and sent it over the center-field wall for a two-run homer. It gave the Tigers a 2–1 advantage and seemed to tilt momentum firmly in Detroit’s favor. Carpenter would finish the night reaching base five times, the first to do so in a winner-take-all game since Babe Ruth in 1926.
Rivas and the Mariners Battle Back
Seattle clawed back in the seventh when pinch-hitter Leo Rivas, celebrating his 28th birthday, punched an RBI single off Tyler Holton to tie the game 2–2. From there, both bullpens took command.
Each team squandered late scoring chances—Detroit left 10 runners on base, Seattle 9—as tension mounted through extra innings.
Extra-Inning Heartbreak and Heroics
Detroit’s biggest missed opportunity came in the 12th when Zach McKinstry was thrown out at home trying to score on a grounder. The Tigers also stranded Dillon Dingler at second in the 14th.
Meanwhile, Mariners manager Scott Servais turned to his starters in relief. Luis Castillo pitched the final three innings, escaping jams and keeping Seattle alive.
In the bottom of the 15th, with the bases loaded and one out, Polanco lined a single to right field, scoring J.P. Crawford and sending T-Mobile Park into chaos.
What’s Next
With the victory, Seattle moves on to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series, beginning Monday at Rogers Centre.