🔗 Share this article Seattle Mariners Outlast Tigers in Historic Extra-Inning Thriller to Move On to AL Championship Series in 24 Years During an intense 15-inning contest, the Mariners' infielder drove in the winning run with a single to the outfield, sealing a narrow win for the home team over the visiting squad in Game 5 of the ALDS. Decisive Plays in the Marathon Game Luis Castillo, delivering his initial bullpen outing in the big leagues, pitched one and one-third innings to earn the victory, 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 showdown between franchise brethren. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday in Toronto. 15th Inning Game-Winning Sequence The leadoff hitter initiated the bottom of the last inning with a line-drive single to the outfield. Randy Arozarena was struck by a throw, putting players on first and second. After a teammate flied out, a throwing error by the center fielder let the runner to take third. Following an strategic base on balls, the batter singled on a 3-2 pitch to end the game. Scoring Highlights and Pitching Performances Kerry Carpenter accounted for all of Detroit's offense with a home run in the sixth inning. The Mariners evened the score at 2-2 in the later inning on a substitute batter's RBI single. Each squad threatened repeatedly in extra innings, with the Mariners hitting into twin killings in both the later extra innings. Starting Pitchers Battle The Tigers' ace and the Mariners' starter engaged in a low-scoring battle in the opening frames. Skubal, a pitching honor contender, allowed a single score on a couple of hits with no walks and double-digit K's over six innings. He set a postseason record with seven consecutive strikeouts. The only run came in the early going, when a double, theft, and deep out brought home a run for the Mariners. The Mariners' pitcher began with shutout frames before surrendering a lead-off double in the middle inning. After a bullpen move, Carpenter went deep on a pitch to hand Detroit the lead. The starter went five-plus innings and was charged with a single score on three hits with no walks and several K's. The win signifies a significant achievement for the Seattle franchise, who move forward to battle for a spot in the World Series after a long playoff drought.