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In a dramatic extra-inning battle, Jorge Polanco drove in the winning run with a single to right field, sealing a narrow win for the Seattle Mariners over the Detroit Tigers in the decisive game of the ALDS.

Decisive Plays in the Extended Matchup

Luis Castillo, making his initial bullpen outing in the big leagues, pitched over an inning to secure the win, propelling his team to the AL Championship Series for the first time in over two decades.

Seattle will now compete against the Toronto for the championship in a contest between 1977 expansion counterparts. Game 1 is set for the weekend in Toronto.

Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence

• The leadoff hitter initiated the final half of the last inning with a line-drive single to right field.
• Randy Arozarena was struck by a throw, putting players on first and second.
• After a teammate flied out, a throwing error by the outfielder allowed Crawford to take third.
• Following an strategic base on balls, the batter singled on a full count to end the game.

Key Runs and Defensive Efforts

Kerry Carpenter accounted for all of the visitors' offense with a home run in the sixth inning.

The Mariners evened the score at 2-2 in the seventh on a pinch hitter's RBI single.

Each squad posed a danger repeatedly in overtime, with the Mariners hitting into inning-ending double plays in both the 12th and 13th.

Opening Hurlers Duel

The Tigers' ace and the Mariners' starter delivered a low-scoring battle in the opening frames.

Skubal, a pitching honor contender, gave up one run on a couple of hits with zero bases on balls and 13 strikeouts over six innings. He established a playoff mark with seven consecutive strikeouts.

The only run occurred in the second inning, when a double, stolen base, and sacrifice fly brought home a point for the Mariners.

Kirby began with five scoreless innings before allowing a lead-off double in the sixth. After a bullpen move, the Tigers batter homered on a fastball to hand the visitors the lead.

The starter went five-plus innings and was charged with one run on three hits with zero free passes and six strikeouts.

This victory signifies a major milestone for the Seattle franchise, who move forward to compete for a place in the World Series after a extended postseason absence.