The Seattle Mariners pulled off a dramatic and wild win in Game 5 of the 2025 ALDS, edging out the Detroit Tigers 3-2 in a marathon 15-inning classic. This victory sent Seattle to the American League Championship Series for the first time in 24 years—hard to believe it’s been that long. The game had just about everything: record-setting pitching, huge moments, and a vibe that fans won’t forget anytime soon.
Mariners End ALCS Drought with Grit and Resilience
After years of postseason heartbreak, the Seattle Mariners finally broke through to reach the ALCS for the first time since 2001. Game 5 against the Detroit Tigers turned into a nerve-shredding battle with gutsy pitching, wild defensive plays, and some late-inning chaos. Now, Seattle faces the Toronto Blue Jays for a shot at the World Series. Can they keep this run going?
A Duel for the Ages: Skubal vs. Kirby
This one’s going to be remembered for the pitching duel between Detroit’s Tarik Skubal and Seattle’s George Kirby. Skubal was on fire, striking out 13—including a ridiculous seven in a row—and setting records for a winner-take-all playoff game. Kirby didn’t match those numbers, but he still tossed five solid innings, giving up just three hits and striking out six before handing things off to the bullpen.
Both guys looked locked in, turning the early innings into a tense, edge-of-your-seat showdown. Every pitch felt huge, and the energy in the stadium just kept building.
Twists, Turns, and Unrelenting Tension
The Tigers struck first in the sixth when Kerry Carpenter hammered a two-run homer over the right-field wall. With runs hard to come by, Detroit looked set to ride Skubal’s arm to the next round.
Seattle’s Fightback Ties the Game
Seattle wouldn’t go away. In the bottom of the seventh, Leo Rivas drove in Jorge Polanco with a clutch single, tying things up at 2-2. The tension in the stadium was thick—you could almost feel it in your chest. Both bullpens took over, somehow escaping jam after jam, including a couple of bases-loaded nightmares.
The Longest Winner-Take-All in Postseason History
As the innings stacked up, everyone started feeling it—players, fans, probably even the broadcasters. This game ended up as the longest winner-take-all contest in MLB postseason history at 15 innings. Every pitch, every baserunner, just felt enormous.
Polanco’s Walk-Off Sends Mariners Into Frenzy
Bottom of the 15th. J.P. Crawford on second. Jorge Polanco lines a single into right-center, and that’s it. Crawford races home, the crowd just explodes, and the Mariners storm the field. T-Mobile Park turned into a madhouse. For Seattle fans, this moment was a long time coming—and honestly, you could feel the relief and joy everywhere.
Key Takeaways from the Epic ALDS Finale
This game’s going down in the books for more than just the score:
- Tarik Skubal’s dominance: 13 strikeouts, including seven straight, and a handful of postseason records.
- George Kirby’s composure: Five strong innings that kept Seattle in it when they really needed it.
- Clutch bullpen work: Both teams wriggled out of high-pressure spots, showing nerves of steel.
- Historic length: Longest winner-take-all game in MLB postseason history at 15 innings.
- Polanco’s heroics: Walk-off single that finally sent Seattle back to the ALCS.
Looking Ahead to the ALCS
The Mariners have momentum and confidence right now. Next up, they’ll face the Blue Jays.
Toronto won’t make things easy. Still, Seattle’s got strong pitching, clutch hitting, and a stubborn attitude that just won’t quit.
That ALDS win? It meant more than just moving on—it showed everyone the Mariners are real contenders.
The legacy of Game 5 will stick with fans and players for a long time. For Seattle, it’s proof that sticking with it can actually pay off.
And really, isn’t that what October baseball is all about? The drama just hits different this time of year.
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Here is the source article for this story: Tigers vs Mariners live updates: Time, TV channel for do-or-die Game 5
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