🔗 Share this article Seattle Mariners Outlast Detroit Tigers in Historic Extra-Inning Showdown to Advance to AL Championship Series in 24 Years During an intense extra-inning battle, the Mariners' infielder drove in the decisive score with a base hit to right field, sealing a 3-2 victory for the home team over the visiting squad in the decisive game of the ALDS. Decisive Plays in the Extended Game Luis Castillo, delivering his first relief appearance in the big leagues, pitched one and one-third innings to secure the win, sending his team to the AL Championship Series for the initial occasion since 2001. Seattle will now face the Toronto for the pennant in a showdown between franchise counterparts. Game 1 is set for Sunday in Toronto. 15th Inning Game-Winning Sequence JP Crawford initiated the bottom of the 15th with a line-drive single to right field. Another batter was struck by a throw, placing players on first and second. After a teammate made an out, a fielding mistake by the outfielder let the runner to take third. Following an intentional walk, Polanco singled on a full count to end the contest. Scoring Highlights and Defensive Efforts Kerry Carpenter accounted for all of the visitors' scoring with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. The Mariners tied it at two runs apiece in the later inning on a substitute batter's run-scoring hit. Both teams threatened multiple times in extra innings, with the home team grounding into inning-ending double plays in both the 12th and 13th. Starting Pitchers Duel The Tigers' ace and the Mariners' starter engaged in a low-scoring battle in the opening frames. Skubal, a Cy Young Award favorite, gave up a single score on two hits with zero bases on balls and 13 strikeouts over six innings. He established a postseason record with seven consecutive strikeouts. The only run came in the early going, when a double, theft, and sacrifice fly scored a run for the home side. Kirby began with shutout frames before allowing a early hit in the sixth. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter went deep on a fastball to hand Detroit the lead. Kirby went over five frames and was charged with one run on three hits with zero free passes and six strikeouts. This victory signifies a major achievement for the Seattle franchise, who move forward to compete for a spot in the World Series after a extended playoff drought.