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Through a gripping extra-inning clash, Jorge Polanco drove in the decisive score with a base hit to right field, clinching a 3-2 victory for the Seattle Mariners over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.

Decisive Plays in the Marathon Game

Luis Castillo, making his initial bullpen outing in the major leagues, pitched one and one-third innings to secure the win, propelling his team to the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2001.

Seattle will now face the Toronto for the pennant in a showdown between 1977 expansion counterparts. The series opener is scheduled for the weekend in the Blue Jays' home.

15th 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 struck by a throw, placing runners on first and second.
• After Cal Raleigh made an out, a fielding mistake by the center fielder allowed Crawford to advance.
• Following an intentional walk, Polanco connected on a 3-2 pitch to conclude the game.

Scoring Highlights and Pitching Performances

A Tigers hitter provided all of the visitors' offense with a two-run homer in the middle frames.

The Mariners tied it at 2-2 in the later inning on a pinch hitter's run-scoring hit.

Both teams threatened repeatedly in extra innings, with the home team grounding into inning-ending double plays in both the later extra innings.

Starting Pitchers Duel

The Tigers' ace and George Kirby delivered a pitchers' duel in the opening frames.

Skubal, a Cy Young Award contender, gave up a single score on a couple of hits with no walks and 13 strikeouts over multiple frames. He set a postseason record with back-to-back K's.

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

The Mariners' pitcher opened with five scoreless innings before surrendering a early hit in the middle inning. After a pitching change, Carpenter homered on a pitch to give the visitors the lead.

Kirby went five-plus innings and was responsible for a single score on three hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

This victory signifies a significant achievement for the Mariners, who move forward to battle for a spot in the championship after a long postseason absence.