Through a gripping 15-inning contest, Jorge Polanco delivered the winning run with a single to right field, sealing a 3-2 victory for the home team over the visiting squad in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.
The Mariners pitcher, delivering his first relief appearance in the big leagues, pitched one and one-third innings to earn the win, propelling his team to the AL Championship Series for the initial occasion in over two decades.
Seattle will now compete against the Blue Jays for the championship in a showdown between franchise brethren. Game 1 is scheduled for the weekend in the Blue Jays' home.
Kerry Carpenter accounted for all of the visitors' offense with a home run in the sixth inning.
Seattle 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 Mariners hitting into twin killings in both the later extra innings.
Tarik Skubal and George Kirby engaged in a low-scoring battle in the early innings.
The left-hander, a pitching honor contender, allowed a single score on two hits with zero bases on balls and 13 strikeouts over six innings. He set a postseason record 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 home side.
Kirby opened with five scoreless innings before surrendering a lead-off double in the sixth. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter went deep on a fastball to give Detroit the advantage.
Kirby went over five frames and was charged with a single score on a few hits with zero free passes and six strikeouts.
This victory signifies a major achievement for the Mariners, who move forward to compete for a spot in the championship after a extended playoff drought.
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Lauren Wilson
Lauren Wilson
Lauren Wilson