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Through a gripping 15-inning contest, Jorge Polanco drove in the winning run with a single to right field, clinching a narrow win for the Seattle Mariners over the Detroit Tigers in the decisive game of the ALDS.

Decisive Plays in the Extended Game

The Mariners pitcher, making his initial bullpen outing in the big leagues, threw 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 compete against the Toronto for the championship in a contest between 1977 expansion brethren. The series opener is set for Sunday in Toronto.

15th Inning Breakthrough

• JP Crawford initiated the bottom of the 15th with a line-drive single to right field.
• Randy Arozarena was struck by a throw, putting 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 singled on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.

Key Runs and Pitching Performances

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

Seattle evened the score at 2-2 in the seventh on a substitute batter's RBI single.

Both teams threatened multiple times in extra innings, with the Mariners hitting into twin killings in both the later extra innings.

Starting Pitchers Duel

Tarik Skubal and George Kirby engaged in a low-scoring battle in the early innings.

The left-hander, a pitching honor favorite, allowed a single score on a couple of hits with zero bases on balls and double-digit K's over six innings. He established a postseason record with back-to-back K's.

His sole allowed score came in the second inning, when a double, theft, and sacrifice fly scored a point for the home side.

Kirby opened with five scoreless innings before surrendering a early hit in the middle inning. After a bullpen move, Carpenter homered on a fastball to hand Detroit the advantage.

Kirby lasted five-plus innings and was charged with a single score on a few hits with zero free passes and several K's.

This victory marks a major achievement for the Seattle franchise, who move forward to battle for a spot in the World Series after a extended postseason absence.