A.J. Hinch Defends Pulling Skubal After 99 Pitches in ALDS

The Seattle Mariners clawed out a marathon win, edging the Detroit Tigers 3–2 in 15 innings to take Game 5 of the ALDS. That victory sends Seattle to the ALCS, where they’ll face the Toronto Blue Jays.

Detroit ace Tarik Skubal turned in a historic night on the mound, but his early exit left fans buzzing. The decision to pull him became the series’ most hotly debated moment.

Tarik Skubal’s Historic Night on the Mound

Detroit’s season ended in heartbreak, but Skubal’s performance was electric. The lefty struck out 13 over six innings, giving up just one run.

He set two playoff records: most strikeouts in a winner-take-all postseason game and eight consecutive punchouts. That’s the kind of stuff fans remember for decades.

Why Was Skubal Pulled?

Despite rewriting the record books, Skubal left after 99 pitches. Manager A.J. Hinch called it an “easy decision,” pointing to Skubal’s exhaustion both physically and emotionally.

Hinch explained that Skubal rarely goes beyond 100 pitches these days and had already been pushed to his edge. Still, fans and analysts questioned the logic. Was it really the right call?

In playoff baseball, riding a hot hand versus sticking to a plan is always a gamble. This time, Hinch’s choice became the story.

Momentum Shift After Skubal’s Exit

Seattle wasted no time after Skubal left. Relievers Kyle Finnegan and Tyler Holton gave up the tying run in the seventh, and suddenly the Mariners had new life.

Detroit’s bullpen settled down afterward, giving up only two runs over 8⅓ innings. But the momentum had already shifted—Seattle erased the deficit and forced a tense, extra-inning grind.

Detroit’s Offensive Struggles

The Tigers’ bats just didn’t show up. They managed five hits across ten innings against Seattle’s relentless bullpen.

With runners in scoring position, Detroit couldn’t get the big hit. They left too many chances on the table.

Key Takeaways from Game 5

This game will stick in people’s minds for its tension, wild records, and all the second-guessing it inspired. A few things stand out:

• Skubal’s brilliance: Thirteen strikeouts and a spot in postseason lore.
• Managerial decision-making: Hinch pulled his ace at 99 pitches, prioritizing long-term health but maybe risking the game.
• Seattle’s resilience: The Mariners fought back late, survived Detroit’s bullpen, and snatched the win in the 15th.
• Tigers’ offensive woes: Five hits over 10 innings just isn’t enough in a game this tight.

Looking Ahead for Both Teams

Seattle now turns to the Blue Jays in the ALCS. After surviving one of the longest, toughest games of the year, their confidence has to be sky-high.

The bullpen’s depth and their knack for late-inning runs will be huge if they want to reach the World Series.

Detroit, meanwhile, faces a long offseason. Skubal’s outing was legendary, but it leaves a bittersweet “what if” hanging over the team.

They’ll need to find more consistency at the plate and keep their ace healthy for another shot next year.

Final Thoughts

Game 5 showed just how wild postseason baseball can get. Every pitch, every substitution, every swing—suddenly, it all matters way more than usual.

The Mariners faced the Tigers’ best shot, with Tarik Skubal putting on a record-setting performance. Somehow, Seattle clawed through and grabbed their ticket to the ALCS, riding the kind of momentum you only get from surviving a true battle.

For fans, it’s a pretty clear lesson. In October, great pitching helps, but those clutch hits are what actually win you championships.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Tigers’ A.J. Hinch says pulling Tarik Skubal after 99 pitches in ALDS Game 5 was ‘easy decision’