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Through a gripping 15-inning clash, Jorge Polanco drove in the winning run with a single to the outfield, sealing a narrow victory for the Seattle Mariners over the Detroit Tigers in the decisive game of the ALDS.

Decisive Plays in the Extended Game

The Mariners pitcher, making his initial bullpen outing in the major leagues, pitched one and one-third innings to secure the win, propelling his team to the AL Championship Series for the initial occasion since 2001.

Seattle will now compete against the Blue Jays for the championship in a showdown between 1977 expansion brethren. The series opener is scheduled for the weekend in Toronto.

Final Inning Breakthrough

• JP Crawford started the bottom of the last inning with a sharp hit to the outfield.
• Randy Arozarena was struck by a throw, putting runners on first and second.
• After a teammate made an out, a throwing error by the center fielder let Crawford to take third.
• Following an strategic base on balls, Polanco singled on a 3-2 pitch to conclude the contest.

Scoring Highlights and Defensive Performances

A Tigers hitter accounted for all of the visitors' offense with a home run in the middle frames.

Seattle tied it at two runs apiece in the later inning on a substitute batter's run-scoring hit.

Both teams posed a danger multiple times in overtime, with the Mariners grounding into inning-ending double plays in both the 12th and 13th.

Opening Hurlers Duel

The Tigers' ace and the Mariners' starter delivered a pitchers' duel in the opening frames.

Skubal, a Cy Young Award favorite, gave up one run on two hits with no walks and double-digit K's over multiple frames. He set a playoff mark with back-to-back K's.

His sole allowed score came in the early going, when a double, stolen base, and deep out brought home a run for the Mariners.

The Mariners' pitcher began with shutout frames before surrendering a early hit in the sixth. After a bullpen move, Carpenter homered on a pitch to hand the visitors the advantage.

Kirby went over five frames and was responsible for a single score on a few hits with zero free passes and six strikeouts.

The win signifies a significant milestone for the Seattle franchise, who advance to battle for a spot in the World Series after a extended playoff drought.