The Seattle Mariners battled for 15 innings to defeat the Detroit Tigers, advancing to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2001.

In an epic showdown today at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, the Mariners triumphed over the Detroit Tigers 3-2 after 15 innings in the decisive Game 5 of the AL Division Series, securing a spot in the AL Championship Series. This 15-inning contest set a record as the longest “winner advances” elimination game in MLB history.

In the 15th inning, J.P. Crawford led off with a single to center field, followed by Randy Arozarena reaching base after being hit by a pitch. Cal Raleigh then flew out to center, allowing Crawford to advance to third base. The Tigers intentionally walked Julio Rodríguez, loading the bases for Jorge Polanco, who promptly delivered a crucial single to first base, driving in the winning run and ending the marathon duel for the Mariners.

The Mariners’ comeback began in the seventh inning. Substitute Leo Rivas, in his first postseason at-bat, hit a go-ahead single to left field with two outs, tying the game and pushing it into extra innings.

Tigers’ starting pitcher Tarik Skubal was dominant, striking out 7 Mariners batters in a row, setting a new postseason record. His streak ended only after Josh Naylor hit a shallow fly out to center field to start the fifth inning. As last season’s AL Rookie of the Year, Skubal pitched six innings, throwing 99 pitches, striking out 13, and allowing just two runs.

He also became the first pitcher in postseason history to record at least 10 strikeouts with no walks through the first four innings.

The Mariners scored first in the second inning. After Josh Naylor hit a double to left field and stole third base (Skubal’s first attempt to prevent a steal of third this season), Mitch Garver followed with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Naylor home to tie the game.

The Tigers took the lead in the fifth inning. Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer off Gabe Speier, who had replaced George Kirby on the mound, putting Detroit ahead 2-1. Seattle’s right-hander Kirby delivered a solid performance, pitching six innings with only three hits allowed, no walks, and six strikeouts.

The Mariners will now travel to Toronto to begin the AL Championship Series on Monday Beijing time, facing the AL East champions Blue Jays, who advanced by defeating the New York Yankees 3-1 in the Division Series.