Who will the Mariners face next? Inside Seattle’s 15-Inning miracle win over Detroit Tigers
AI-generated image illustrating Mariners
It was a night that stretched nearly five hours, tested the limits of endurance, and delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in Major League Baseball history. The Seattle Mariners edged out the Detroit Tigers 3-2 in a 15-inning battle Friday night, clinching their spot in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) in a game that will be remembered for its intensity, resilience, and sheer unpredictability.
The tension-filled Game 5, clocking in at 4 hours and 58 minutes, now holds the distinction of being the longest winner-take-all postseason game in baseball history. It featured a marathon of 15 pitchers—eight from Seattle and seven from Detroit—and an astounding 472 pitches thrown before the final decisive swing came from Jorge Polanco.
With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 15th, Polanco stepped up against Tigers reliever Tommy Kahnle. The moment had all the weight of a season riding on it. J.P. Crawford had opened the inning with a single, Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, and Julio Rodríguez drew an intentional walk. Then, on a 472nd pitch that felt like destiny, Polanco lined a single into right field, driving home Crawford and sending the T-Mobile Park crowd into a frenzy.
“We never give up,” Polanco said after the game, beaming with exhaustion and pride. “It doesn’t matter how many innings it takes. We stay ready. Tonight, it was my time.”
The Mariners’ persistence was on full display. Despite stranding 12 runners throughout the night, Seattle refused to break under the weight of missed opportunities. The victory marks the franchise’s first trip to the ALCS since 2001 — a 24-year drought that fans and players alike were eager to end. Their next challenge: a Sunday night showdown in Toronto against the AL East champion Blue Jays.
Pitching played a defining role in this historical clash. Luis Castillo, typically a starter, came out of the bullpen for 1⅓ innings to earn the win, his first major league relief appearance. Fellow starter Logan Gilbert also made a rare bullpen appearance, throwing two scoreless innings — his first relief outing since college.
Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh summed it up best:
“It was such a tough night. Everyone left it all out there. Logan, Luis — everybody sacrificed for the team. That’s what it takes to win games like this.”
Detroit, on the other hand, was left to lament what could have been. Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal was masterful, striking out 13 batters over six innings while surrendering just one run. Yet, the Tigers’ offense faltered when it mattered most, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 men on base.
The loss was a cruel twist for a Detroit team that had clawed its way to the brink of an ALCS appearance. Their struggles mirrored the heartbreak of past postseason defeats — sharp pitching undone by anemic hitting.
For Seattle, however, it was the kind of storybook ending fans dream about. The last time the Mariners won an extra-inning playoff clincher was in 1995 — the unforgettable 11-inning win over the Yankees that defined an era. Now, three decades later, history has repeated itself, this time with Jorge Polanco playing the hero’s role.
As the Mariners look ahead to the ALCS, their message is clear: resilience wins championships. Friday’s 15-inning classic wasn’t just a baseball game — it was a test of heart, patience, and belief.
FAQs
1. How long did the Mariners vs. Tigers Game 5 last?
The game lasted 4 hours and 58 minutes, making it the longest winner-take-all postseason game in MLB history.
2. Who hit the walk-off single for the Mariners?
Jorge Polanco delivered the game-ending single in the bottom of the 15th inning.
3. When was the last time the Mariners reached the ALCS?
Seattle last advanced to the ALCS in 2001.
4. What was Tarik Skubal’s performance for Detroit?
Skubal pitched six dominant innings, striking out 13 and allowing just one run.
5. Who will the Mariners face next?
The Mariners will face the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Championship Series, starting Sunday night.