The Mariners were unable to hold on to an early lead and allowed the Tigers to pull away to tie the ALDS
DETROIT — The Seattle Mariners looked to be in firm control of Game 4 of an American League Divisional Series against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday at Comerica Park in Detroit. The Mariners led the Tigers 3-0 going into the bottom of the fifth and were en route to their first American League Championship Series berth since 2001.
Detroit didn't let the lead stand and put up nine unanswered runs beginning in the bottom of the fifth en route to a 9-3 win over Seattle. The victory tied the ALDS at two games apiece.
The M's' early lead was curated with an RBI single hit by Dominic Canzone in the top of the second, a double play hit into by right fielder Victor Robles that brought home first baseman Josh Naylor in the top of the fourth and an RBI single hit by catcher Cal Raleigh in the top of the fifth.
"Postseason is about momentum and getting that momentum," Mariners manager Dan Wilson said in a postgame news conference Wednesday. "And they were able to turn the table there and get it and we weren't able to get back and they were able to score again and spread the lead a little bit. It's up to us now to turn the table back. ... Get in front of the home fans and feel their energy."
Detroit began to mount its comeback against Seattle starting pitcher Bryce Miller. The home team broke the seal against the M's' bullpen, which had been stout in the series until Wednesday.
Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler kicked off the comeback with an RBI double against Miller that cut the Mariners' lead to 3-1.
Dingler's hit chased Miller out of the game. He finished with two strikeouts and two runs allowed on four hits in 4.1 innings pitched.
Miller was dinged with his second earned run after left-handed reliever Gabe Speier allowed an RBI double to pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones, which brought home Dingler.
Detroit shortstop Javier Baez hit an RBI single to tie the game 3-3 going into the sixth inning.
In what became symbolic of what the game would become, Tigers left fielder Riley Greene hit a go-ahead, 454-foot solo home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth. That blast put Detroit in front 4-3.
Greene's homer marked the end of the day for Speier. He fanned one, walked a batter and allowed two earned runs on three hits (one home run) in 0.2 innings pitched. He didn't allow a runner to reach in two postseason appearances prior to Wednesday.
"(Gabe's) thrown the ball incredibly well. All season long," Wilson said. "They were able to get to him on a couple of pitches. Looked like they were very aggressive on him and able to get some balls in the outfield. Really, they were just able to get to our bullpen today."
The Tigers refused to take their foot off the gas from that point.
Also in the bottom of the sixth, third baseman Zach McKinstry hit an RBI single and Baez hit a two-run homer to left field. Detroit's lead ballooned to 7-3 through six innings after Baez's home run.
Second baseman Gleyber Torres hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh and Baez hit a groundout that brought home McKinstry in the bottom of the eighth for the eventual final of 9-3.
"One of the things are guys do the best is bounce back," Wilson said. "And no better place to do that than going back home and being able to do that at home."
Seattle and the Tigers will play the series-deciding Game 5 of the ALDS at a to-be-determined time Friday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Tarik Skubal will start for Detroit against a to-be-announced Mariners starter.
First pitch will be either 1:40 p.m. PT/4:40 p.m. ET or 5:08 p.m. PT/8:08 p.m. ET.
RELATED MARINERS STORIES
MATT BRASH REFLECTS ON LONG LAY-OFF, LESSONS FROM 2022: The high-leverage hurler is ready to help his team to the ultimate goal this season after a lost 2024. CLICK HERE
BRYCE MILLER CO-SIGNS JULIO RODRIGUEZ WINNING PRESTIGIOUS AWARD: The three-time All-Star has been playing at a Gold Glove level in center field, and his teammates have noticed. CLICK HERE
MARINERS ARE NOW WHAT J.P. CRAWFORD FORESAW: The Mariners have become the team Crawford envisioned when he signed an extension in 2022. CLICK HERE
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!