đź”— Share this article Mariners Defeat Detroit Tigers in Record-Breaking Extra-Inning Thriller to Advance to AL Championship Series in Over Two Decades During an intense extra-inning battle, Jorge Polanco delivered the decisive score with a single to right field, clinching a 3-2 victory for the Seattle Mariners over the visiting squad in Game 5 of the ALDS. Decisive Plays in the Extended Matchup Luis Castillo, delivering his initial bullpen outing in the big leagues, threw over an inning to earn the victory, sending his team to the ALCS for the initial occasion in over two decades. Seattle will now face the Toronto for the pennant in a contest between franchise counterparts. The series opener is set for Sunday in the Blue Jays' home. 15th Inning Game-Winning Sequence JP Crawford started the bottom of the 15th with a line-drive single to right field. Another batter was hit by a pitch, placing players on the bases. After a teammate flied out, a fielding mistake by the outfielder let the runner to advance. Following an intentional walk, the batter singled on a full count to end the contest. Key Runs and Defensive Performances A Tigers hitter provided all of the visitors' scoring with a home run in the sixth inning. Seattle evened the score at two runs apiece in the later inning on a pinch hitter's RBI single. Each squad posed a danger repeatedly in overtime, with the home team grounding into inning-ending double plays in both the later extra innings. Starting Pitchers Duel The Tigers' ace and the Mariners' starter engaged in a low-scoring battle in the opening frames. The left-hander, a pitching honor favorite, allowed a single score on two hits with zero bases on balls and 13 strikeouts over six innings. He established a playoff mark with seven consecutive strikeouts. His sole allowed score came in the early going, when a two-base hit, theft, and deep out scored a run for the Mariners. Kirby began with five scoreless innings before surrendering a lead-off double in the sixth. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter homered on a fastball to give Detroit the lead. Kirby lasted five-plus innings and was charged with a single score on three hits with no walks and several K's. The win marks a major milestone for the Mariners, who move forward to battle for a place in the World Series after a extended postseason absence.