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In a dramatic extra-inning contest, Jorge Polanco delivered the winning run with a single to right field, clinching a 3-2 victory for the Seattle Mariners over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the ALDS.

Decisive Plays in the Extended Matchup

The Mariners pitcher, making his first relief appearance in the big leagues, threw one and one-third innings to secure the win, sending his team to the ALCS for the initial occasion in over two decades.

Seattle will now compete against the Blue Jays for the championship in a contest between franchise counterparts. The series opener is set for Sunday in Toronto.

15th Inning Game-Winning Sequence

• The leadoff hitter initiated the final half of the last inning with a sharp hit to the outfield.
• Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, placing players on the bases.
• After Cal Raleigh made an out, a throwing error by the center fielder let the runner to advance.
• Following an intentional walk, Polanco singled on a 3-2 pitch to end the contest.

Scoring Highlights and Pitching Efforts

Kerry Carpenter accounted for all of the visitors' scoring with a two-run homer in the sixth inning.

Seattle evened the score at two runs apiece in the later inning on a substitute batter's RBI single.

Each squad posed a danger multiple times in overtime, with the home team grounding into inning-ending double plays in both the 12th and 13th.

Opening Hurlers Battle

The Tigers' ace and George Kirby delivered a pitchers' duel in the early innings.

Skubal, a pitching honor favorite, allowed one run on two hits with no walks and double-digit K's over six innings. He set a postseason record with back-to-back K's.

The only run occurred in the early going, when a two-base hit, theft, and deep out scored a point for the Mariners.

The Mariners' pitcher opened with five scoreless innings before surrendering a lead-off double in the middle inning. After a bullpen move, the Tigers batter went deep on a pitch to give Detroit the lead.

The starter went five-plus innings and was responsible for a single score on three hits with zero free passes and six strikeouts.

The win marks a significant achievement for the Seattle franchise, who advance to battle for a place in the championship after a long postseason absence.