By the time Jorge Polanco stepped into the box in the 15th inning, the night had turned into morning for many fans at T-Mobile Park. But no one was leaving. Not with a trip to the ALCS on the line.
Polanco’s line-drive single to right field ended one of the wildest playoff games in Mariners history: a 3-2 walk-off win over the Detroit Tigers that punched Seattle’s ticket to its first American League Championship Series since 2001.
It took five hours, 15 innings, and everything both teams had. The game broke the MLB record for the longest winner-take-all contest ever, passing the 13-inning 2018 Wild Card game between the Rockies and Cubs.
Pitchers’ Duel Becomes a Test of Endurance
For most of the night, it was a classic duel between two rising stars. Detroit’s Tarik Skubal struck out 13 batters – the most ever in a winner-take-all game – and didn’t walk a single one. His fastball touched 100 mph, and his changeup kept Seattle guessing.
Across the field, George Kirby matched him pitch for pitch. After losing Game 1, the right-hander came out with a new plan, leaning heavily on his slider to quiet Detroit’s lineup. He kept the Tigers off the board until the sixth, when Kerry Carpenter launched a two-run homer to give Detroit a 2-1 lead.
Seattle tied it an inning later thanks to an unlikely hero. Leo Rivas, a 27-year-old rookie making his postseason debut on his birthday, came through with a game-tying single that brought T-Mobile Park back to life.
Fifteen Innings, One Swing
From there, the game turned into a battle of nerves. Both bullpens traded zeros. Every baserunner felt like a miracle. Every out drew a roar.
Then came the 15th. The bases were loaded, the crowd was deafening, and Polanco wasted no time. His first swing turned history into reality.
The Mariners erupted. Fans hugged strangers. After 24 long years, Seattle is back where it believes it belongs – four wins from the World Series.
Next up: a date with the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS.
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