Mon Oct 13 02:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Mariners Advance to ALCS After Epic 15-Inning Walk-Off Victory Over Tigers

**SEATTLE, WA -** In a game for the ages, Jorge Polanco delivered a single in the bottom of the 15th inning Friday night, sending the Seattle Mariners to their first American League Championship Series since 2001 with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

The marathon contest, clocking in at a grueling 4 hours and 58 minutes, saw a combined 15 pitchers throw a staggering 472 pitches. Both starting pitchers, Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo, made their first ever relief appearances for the Mariners in the high-stakes affair.

“That was an epic game,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, lamenting the loss. Mariners pitcher George Kirby, who started the game, echoed the sentiment: “From the eighth inning on, I had a massive headache. I am glad that game is over.”

The Mariners initially took a 1-0 lead, but the Tigers responded with a two-run homer from Kerry Carpenter in the sixth after Kirby was pulled. Detroit starter Tarik Skubal dominated for six innings, racking up a career-high 13 strikeouts, but the Mariners finally broke through after he exited the game. Leo Rivas tied the score with a pinch-hit single on his 28th birthday.

From there, the game turned into a tense battle of bullpens, with both teams repeatedly stranding runners in scoring position. The Mariners had two runners on in both the 10th and 12th innings, but failed to capitalize.

Finally, in the bottom of the 15th, J.P. Crawford singled, Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, and Julio Rodriguez was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. That brought Polanco to the plate, who delivered a clutch single to score Crawford and end the epic contest.

“I was just looking for a pitch to hit,” Polanco said, focused on a changeup he was able to capitalize on.

T-Mobile Park erupted in a frenzy as the Mariners chased Polanco in celebration. The scene was reminiscent of the Mariners’ iconic 1995 ALDS victory, drawing comparisons to Edgar Martinez’s series-winning hit that sent Ken Griffey Jr. home.

“I couldn’t believe it was over,” said catcher Cal Raleigh amidst the post-game celebrations. The Mariners now advance to the ALCS, a moment long awaited by the Seattle faithful.

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