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During an intense extra-inning battle, the Mariners' infielder delivered the decisive score with a single to the outfield, clinching a narrow victory for the Seattle Mariners over the visiting squad in the decisive game of the ALDS.

Key Moments in the Extended Matchup

Luis Castillo, delivering his first relief appearance in the major leagues, pitched one and one-third innings to earn the win, propelling his team to the ALCS for the initial occasion in over two decades.

Seattle will now compete against the Toronto for the pennant in a showdown between franchise counterparts. The series opener is scheduled for the weekend in the Blue Jays' home.

Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence

• JP Crawford initiated the final half of the last inning with a sharp hit to right field.
• Randy Arozarena was struck by a throw, putting players on the bases.
• After a teammate flied out, a fielding mistake by the outfielder let Crawford to take third.
• Following an intentional walk, Polanco connected on a 3-2 pitch to conclude the game.

Scoring Highlights and Defensive Efforts

Kerry Carpenter accounted for all of the visitors' scoring with a home run in the middle frames.

Seattle tied it at 2-2 in the seventh on a substitute batter's run-scoring hit.

Each squad posed a danger repeatedly in overtime, with the home team grounding into inning-ending double plays in both the later extra innings.

Starting Pitchers Duel

The Tigers' ace and George Kirby engaged in a pitchers' duel in the opening frames.

The left-hander, a Cy Young Award favorite, allowed a single score on two hits with zero bases on balls and double-digit K's over six innings. He established a postseason record with back-to-back K's.

His sole allowed score occurred in the early going, when a two-base hit, theft, and sacrifice fly scored a point for the home side.

Kirby opened with shutout frames before surrendering a early hit in the middle inning. After a bullpen move, Carpenter homered on a fastball to give the visitors the lead.

Kirby went five-plus innings and was responsible for a single score on a few hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

This victory marks a major achievement for the Mariners, who advance to compete for a spot in the championship after a long playoff drought.