🔗 Share this article Mariners Edge Tigers in Record-Breaking 15-Inning Showdown to Advance to First ALCS in Over Two Decades During an intense extra-inning battle, Jorge Polanco delivered the decisive score with a base hit to right field, clinching a narrow victory for the home team over the visiting squad in Game 5 of the ALDS. Decisive Plays in the Marathon Game The Mariners pitcher, delivering his initial bullpen outing in the major leagues, threw one and one-third innings to secure the win, propelling his team to the ALCS for the initial occasion in over two decades. The Mariners will now compete against the Toronto for the championship in a contest between 1977 expansion brethren. Game 1 is set for Sunday in the Blue Jays' home. Final Inning Breakthrough JP Crawford initiated the final half of the last inning with a line-drive single to the outfield. Another batter was struck by a throw, putting runners on first and second. After Cal Raleigh flied out, a throwing error by the outfielder let the runner to advance. Following an strategic base on balls, the batter singled on a full count to conclude the game. Scoring Highlights and Pitching Performances A Tigers hitter accounted for all of the visitors' offense with a home run in the middle frames. The Mariners evened the score at two runs apiece in the later inning on a substitute batter's RBI single. Each squad posed a danger multiple times in overtime, with the Mariners hitting into inning-ending double plays in both the 12th and 13th. Opening Hurlers Battle Tarik Skubal and George Kirby engaged in a low-scoring battle in the early innings. Skubal, a pitching honor favorite, allowed a single score on two hits with zero bases on balls and double-digit K's over multiple frames. He established a postseason record with seven consecutive strikeouts. His sole allowed score occurred in the early going, when a two-base hit, theft, and deep out brought home a point for the Mariners. Kirby began with shutout frames before allowing a lead-off double in the middle inning. After a bullpen move, the Tigers batter went deep on a fastball to hand Detroit the advantage. Kirby went over five frames and was charged with a single score on a few hits with no walks and several K's. This victory signifies a major achievement for the Mariners, who move forward to compete for a spot in the World Series after a long playoff drought.