Mariners to the ALCS: Epic triumph in 15 innings against Tigers, Polanco hero

Mariners Advance to the American League Championship Series After Epic 15-Inning Battle

SEATTLE – After a single by Jorge Polanco that sealed the Mariners’ victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night, the Seattle team secured their place in the American League Championship Series, a milestone they hadn’t achieved since 2001. The match, which lasted four hours and 58 minutes, was a display of resilience and strategy. The game featured the participation of 15 pitchers who accumulated 472 pitches, including starters Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo, who made their first appearances as relievers in their careers. The tension was palpable, with missed opportunities by both teams in extra innings, and a crowd of 47,025 people at T-Mobile Park that maintained a deafening atmosphere.

“An incredible victory for Seattle, which means an incredible loss for us. It was an epic game,” commented Tigers manager A.J. Hinch.

A.J. Hinch

Mariners pitcher, George Kirby, admitted that he felt a strong headache from the eighth inning and was relieved that the game finally ended. The feeling was that two different games had been played. The Mariners took the lead in the second inning, but a two-run homer by Kerry Carpenter in the sixth put the Tigers ahead. However, the dominance of Tigers pitcher, Tarik Skubal, was notable, accumulating 13 strikeouts in the game. Skubal, reaching his pitch limit, was relieved in the sixth inning. Skubal’s outing gave the Mariners a breather, who tied the score with a pinch-hit single by Leo Rivas, celebrating his 28th birthday. What followed was a battle of relievers, with effective performances by Will Vest, Rafael Montero and Jack Flaherty for the Tigers, and Matt Brash, Andres Munoz, Gilbert and Castillo for the Mariners.

“There are no words to describe what those guys did from the bullpen,” said manager Dan Wilson.

Dan Wilson

The pressure was constant, with runners on base and crucial double plays. Tommy Kahnle went to the mound in the bottom of the 15th inning for the Tigers. J.P. Crawford hit a single, and after a hit to Randy Arozarena, Cal Raleigh hit a fly ball that allowed Crawford to advance to third base and Arozarena to second. An intentional walk to Julio Rodriguez set the stage for Polanco. Polanco, focused on the Kahnle change, connected the ball between first and second base, driving in Crawford for the winning run.

“I couldn’t believe it was over,” Raleigh said.

Cal Raleigh

T-Mobile Park erupted in jubilation, creating a deafening atmosphere. This moment, possibly the loudest in Mariners history, evokes memories of the 1995 series, when Edgar Martinez and Ken Griffey Jr. starred in a similar moment. Before the game, a sports car with Griffey on board was presented. The excitement and post-game celebration, with champagne and gratitude, will be remembered by all the fans who witnessed this 15-inning saga.