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Through a gripping extra-inning battle, Jorge Polanco delivered the winning run with a single to the outfield, clinching a 3-2 win for the Seattle Mariners over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the ALDS.

Decisive Plays in the Extended Matchup

The Mariners pitcher, making his first relief appearance in the major leagues, threw one and one-third innings to earn the win, sending his team to the ALCS for the initial occasion in over two decades.

Seattle will now compete against the Blue Jays for the championship in a showdown between 1977 expansion brethren. Game 1 is set for the weekend in Toronto.

15th Inning Breakthrough

• The leadoff hitter started the final half of the 15th with a sharp hit to right field.
• Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, putting runners on the bases.
• After a teammate made an out, a fielding mistake by the outfielder allowed the runner to take third.
• Following an strategic base on balls, Polanco connected on a full count to end the contest.

Scoring Highlights and Pitching Performances

Kerry Carpenter provided all of Detroit's offense with a two-run homer in the middle frames.

Seattle evened the score at 2-2 in the later inning on a pinch hitter's run-scoring hit.

Each squad posed a danger repeatedly in extra innings, with the Mariners grounding into twin killings in both the later extra innings.

Starting Pitchers Duel

Tarik Skubal and George Kirby delivered a low-scoring battle in the opening frames.

The left-hander, a Cy Young Award favorite, gave up one run on two hits with zero bases on balls and 13 strikeouts over multiple frames. He set a postseason record with seven consecutive strikeouts.

His sole allowed score occurred in the early going, when a double, theft, and deep out scored a point for the Mariners.

The Mariners' pitcher began with five scoreless innings before surrendering a lead-off double in the middle inning. After a bullpen move, the Tigers batter went deep on a fastball to hand Detroit the advantage.

The starter lasted five-plus innings and was responsible for a single score on three hits with no walks and several K's.

The win signifies a significant milestone for the Mariners, who move forward to battle for a spot in the World Series after a extended playoff drought.