Mariners beat Tigers in 15-inning epic to reach 1st ALCS since 2001

The Seattle Mariners will play for the American League championship after defeating the Detroit Tigers 3-2 in an epic 15-inning Game 5 on Friday at T-Mobile Park.

Jorge Polanco sent the Mariners to their first ALCS in 24 years and ended the longest winner-take-all game in postseason history with a walk-off single off Tommy Kahnle in the bottom of the 15th.

“I know we played a long game, but this team never gave up,” Polanco told Luke Olson of the Associated Press. “I know there is a lot of emotion, but we are always trying to keep it simple. I’m just trying to go out there and play and trying to get the win.”

Detroit and Seattle traded blows for seven scoreless innings after the Mariners’ Leo Rivas tied the game at 2-2 with a pinch-hit single in the seventh. The teams used a combined 15 pitchers during the game.

Mariners starters Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo each made their first career relief appearances to aid their taxed bullpen. Castillo earned the win by pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He relieved Eduard Bazardo, who struck out four and allowed one hit over 2 2/3 innings to hold Detroit scoreless.

“It was such a tough night,” Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh said. “Everyone put their other stuff (aside) and did everything for the team, including Logan and Luis.”

Detroit was not without its chances throughout the night. Tigers ace Tarik Skubal turned in a historic start over the first six innings. Kerry Carpenter went 4-for-5 with a walk and a homer, and became just the third player ever to reach base six times in a playoff game, per Codify.

The Tigers pitched their way out of trouble in the 12th, 13th, and 14th, but they couldn’t wiggle out of a final bases-loaded jam in the 15th frame.

“Just an incredible ballgame from top to bottom,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said.

The Mariners will now face the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS. Game 1 is set for Sunday at 8:03 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre. It’s the second postseason meeting between the 1977 expansion cousins. They also met in 2022, when Seattle swept the wild-card series in Toronto.

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