Mariners Move Past Tigers in Historic 15-Inning Win
The Seattle Mariners outlasted the Detroit Tigers in a marathon, 3-2, to punch their ticket to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2001. The game finished in the 15th inning, the longest winner-take-all postseason contest in baseball history, and it featured a dramatic finish that will be remembered for years.
Everything looked hopeful for Detroit early, but Seattle refused to quit. After the Tigers battled their way through 14 innings of tense play, the decisive moment arrived with one out and the bases loaded. Jorge Polanco delivered a game-ending single off Tommy Kahnle, driving in J.P. Crawford from third base and sparking joyous celebrations on the Mariners’ bench.
The sequence that preceded the deciding hit set the table for drama. Crawford started the rally with a leadoff single, Randy Arozarena was plunked by a pitch, and Julio Rodríguez earned an intentional walk. The intentional free pass loaded the bases before Polanco’s run-scoring liner in right field completed the night’s epic chapter. It was a moment built on patience and perseverance, a reflection of Seattle’s grit in a tilt that stretched far beyond the norm.
Manager Scott Servais and his club had to weather a grueling bullpen effort and a defense that shuffled players as the game wore on. The Mariners left 12 runners on base, underscoring how close the action was and how costly missed opportunities can be in a game decided by a single, decisive hit. Yet Seattle’s resilience never wavered, and the result was a first-ever trip to the ALCS for many of the players who have battled through years of near-misses and playoff droughts.
For Detroit, the setback was brutal, but the team displayed competitive resolve that kept fans engaged through the marathon. The Tigers staged rallies, matched Seattle’s late-inning intensity, and refused to fold as the midnight hour approached. Still, the night belonged to the Mariners, whose defense, pitching depth, and clutch hitting combined in a way that made this one of the most unforgettable games in Division Series history.
In the aftermath, Polanco’s words captured the moment: “We never give up. We just keep fighting. It doesn’t matter how many innings we play. We stay ready and wait for the moment. It’s going to come. It was my time.” His timely hit is a reminder that postseason baseball rewards patience and readiness as much as it does raw power or speed.
The victory sets up a compelling next series for Seattle, as the Mariners draw the AL East champion Toronto Blue Jays in a clash scheduled to begin Sunday night in Toronto. The Blue Jays enter with their own history and strength, and Seattle will need to ride this momentum while respecting a formidable opponent that finished the regular season atop a strong division.
Key star performances echoed throughout the game. Crawford’s early presence set the tone for Seattle, while Rodríguez’s stance at the plate—despite the intentional walk—demonstrated the strategic chess match that unfolded across more than a dozen innings. The Mariners’ bullpen managed crucial outs in precarious moments, and the offense finally broke through with Polanco’s late-game heroics, a moment that will be etched in franchise lore.
As Seattle prepares for the next challenge, fans are left to reflect on a postseason classic that combined strategy, stamina, and searing drama. The Mariners’ resolve in a 15-inning victory proves they are a team built to handle long fights and late surges, and their journey toward the ALCS is a testament to the enduring appeal of postseason baseball.
Looking Ahead
The series against the Blue Jays will test Seattle’s depth and pitching rotation, but the celebration in the clubhouse after Friday’s win will be a powerful motivator. For the Mariners, the path to a potential World Series appearance now includes a historic pit stop in the ALCS, reminding fans that even the longest nights can yield the sweetest outcomes with the right mix of courage and composure.
