Second baseman Jorge Polanco delivered the walk-off hit to send the Mariners to their first ALCS in 24 years
SEATTLE — Friday was a day that perfectly represented the city of Seattle.
It was 50-60 degrees from the late morning to night time, overcast and raining — as "Seattle" as the Emerald City could be. In pregame warmups before Game 5 of an American League Divisional Series between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers, legendary native grunge band Nirvana's hit song, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," was playing at T-Mobile Park.
Friday felt like Seattle was being channeled throughout the day and by the M's at T-Mobile Park — defined by what it is, what it was and what could come. It was only fitting that the Mariners delivered one of the most iconic wins in team history. Seattle came on top against Detroit 3-2 in a 15-inning classic and the Mariners clinched their first American League Championship Series berth since 2001.
It was the first win-or-go-home ALDS game in MLB history that went 15 innings.
"Everybody's super excited," Seattle starting pitcher George Kirby said in a postgame interview. "We prepared for that, but everybody tonight — everyone dug deep and found a way to win. It just goes to show how tough we are. Man, it's so cool to see everybody get the job done tonight."
Over 47,000 fans hung in for nearly five hours of baseball. In the bottom of the 15th, with the bases loaded and one out, it came down to a veteran infielder who, at this time last year, wasn't even sure if he would be on the team in 2025.
Jorge Polanco hit a walk-off RBI single and secured the 3-2 victory for Seattle.
"This is great. This is something we've talked about since spring training," First base coach Eric Young Jr. said after the game Friday. "To actually have it come to fruition, it's great to share it with this group of guys. ... Everybody put in the hard work. Get to enjoy it today and back at it tomorrow and get over to Canada and try to handle business there."
The winning pitcher Friday was Luis Castillo. He entered in the 14th and retired the side in the 15th. It was his first appearance out of the bullpen since June 23, 2016, when he was with the High-A Jupiter Hammerheads. He pitched 1.1 innings, struck out one and didn't allow a runner to reach.
Castillo was one of three pitchers in the typical Mariners starting rotation to throw in Friday's 15-inning marathon. Logan Gilbert was on the mound for two frames. Kirby started, fanned six and allowed one earned run on three hits in five innings pitched
Kirby and left-handed reliever Gabe Speier split a pair of earned runs allowed via a two-run home run hit by Tigers right fielder Kerry Carpenter in the top of the sixth.
Carpenter's blast put Detroit in front 2-1. Seattle's lone run to that point was on an RBI sacrifice fly hit by designated hitter Mitch Garver that brought home first baseman Josh Naylor in the bottom of the second.
Naylor got on base with a double and stole third to set up the sac fly.
Both of the Mariners' two RBIs in the first nine innings came from the designated hitter spot.
In the bottom of the seventh, Dominic Canzone was set to pinch-hit for Garver to face right-handed Detroit reliever Kyle Finnegan. Finnegan came on in the seventh inning after defending Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal struck out 13 and allowed one earned run on two hits in six innings of work.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch took Finnegan out of the game and lefty Tyler Holton came on to face Canzone.
Seattle manager Dan Wilson pinch-hit Rivas for Canzone before the latter stepped to the plate, and that decision might have been one (of many) that saved the M's' season.
Rivas, who celebrated his 28th birthday Friday, hit an RBI single to left field that tied the game 2-2. That score held going into extras.
"I got no words," Rivas said after the game. "Since I woke up, I said to myself 'It's gonna be a good day to celebrate my day.' Thank god I got the opportunity and I did it good. I'm just grateful for that. ... I just prepare for any situation. ... It just feels amazing. Best day ever."
From the eighth inning on, the two sides were in a deadlock. Both teams had opportunities to pull in front or put the game away, but failed to capitalize.
Seattle left eighth runners stranded from the seventh-through-fourteenth innings and Detroit left six runners stranded.
In the middle of the offensive lull, with the hopes of the city resting on their shoulders (or, more aptly, arms), the Mariners' relievers from stood firm. The combo of Matt Brash, Andres Munoz, Gilbert, Eduard Bazardo and Castillo (in that order) fanned 11, walked four and allowed four hits in a combined 9.1 innings pitched.
"Everyone's just having each other's back and cheering each other on," Kirby said. "Simple as that. Everyone wants the opportunity to get up to the plate and finish the job and everyone was prepared for it. Just keep the vibes up in the dugout, that's what I did."
Shortstop J.P. Crawford hit a single, left fielder Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch, catcher Cal Raleigh lined out and center fielder Julio Rodriguez was intentionally walked to set up Polanco's game-sealing hit.
Seattle will have an off-day Saturday. The Mariners will play the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at 5:03 p.m. PT on Sunday at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
Starting pitchers are still to be announced.
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