🔗 Share this article Seattle Mariners Outlast Detroit Tigers in Record-Breaking Extra-Inning Showdown to Move On to First ALCS in Over Two Decades In a dramatic extra-inning contest, the Mariners' infielder delivered the winning run with a single to right field, sealing a 3-2 win for the Seattle Mariners over the visiting squad in Game 5 of the ALDS. Key Moments in the Extended Matchup The Mariners pitcher, delivering his first relief appearance in the major leagues, threw one and one-third innings to secure the win, propelling his team to the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2001. The Mariners will now face the Blue Jays for the championship in a contest between 1977 expansion counterparts. The series opener is set for the weekend in the Blue Jays' home. Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence The leadoff hitter started the final half of the last inning with a line-drive single to right field. Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, putting players on the bases. After a teammate made an out, a throwing error by the center fielder let Crawford to take third. Following an strategic base on balls, the batter connected on a full count to end the contest. Scoring Highlights and Defensive Efforts A Tigers hitter accounted for all of the visitors' offense with a two-run homer in the middle frames. The Mariners tied it at 2-2 in the seventh on a substitute batter'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 Battle Tarik Skubal and George Kirby engaged in a low-scoring battle in the opening frames. The left-hander, a Cy Young Award favorite, allowed a single score on two hits with no walks and double-digit K's over six innings. He established a playoff mark with back-to-back K's. His sole allowed score came in the early going, when a double, theft, and deep out scored a point for the Mariners. Kirby opened with shutout frames before surrendering a lead-off double in the sixth. After a bullpen move, the Tigers batter went deep on a pitch to give the visitors the lead. Kirby lasted five-plus innings and was responsible for one run on three hits with zero free passes and six strikeouts. This victory marks a major milestone for the Seattle franchise, who advance to compete for a spot in the World Series after a extended playoff drought.