The Mariners fell to the Tigers in 11 innings in the first of the best-of-five series
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners had a prime opportunity in front of them to draw first blood in a best-of-five American League Divisional Series on Saturday at T-Mobile Park. Instead, it was the Detroit Tigers that pounced and took a 1-0 lead in the ALDS after a 3-2, 11-inning win against the Mariners.
The low-scoring game was reflective of one in which neither team was able to string together consistent offense and at-bats. Detroit went 7-for-40 and struck out 16 times and Seattle went 6-for-38 and struck out eight times.
"Today is over," Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez said after the game. "Gear up for tomorrow, get ready for the new game. Come with the same mentality — to come attack and be ready to compete. That's how we bounce back from this, that's how we've done it in the past. We're gonna be in a good situation tomorrow."
Rodriguez and catcher Cal Raleigh accounted for all six of Seattle's hits. The two 2025 All-Stars combined to go 6-for-10 with a run, a home run and two RBIs. The rest of the lineup went 0-for-28.
Rodriguez's first hit was a lead-off, solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning that put the Mariners in front 1-0. It was the first postseason homer of his four-year career and the first playoff run Seattle has scored at home since 2001.
Mariners starter George Kirby blanked the Tigers through four innings, which allowed the M's to take the lead off Rodriguez's homer. Detroit left a runner on first base in the first inning; two in scoring position in the second and stranded another at second in the third.
Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows finally got on base with a single and was moved to second after second baseman Gleyber Torres grounded out in the top of the fifth.
With two outs and Meadows standing at second, Detroit right fielder Kerry Carpenter hit a go-ahead, two-run homer to right field. The blast gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead.
"The heaters up (were) working all day, and (Carpenter) finally got to one," Kirby said after the game. "So just tip your cap. I executed the way I wanted to. I'm not gonna go back and forth in my head if that's the right pitch or not. I threw it, I was convicted in it and he hit a homer."
Kirby got the final out in the fifth inning and his day was done after that. He finished his second career postseason start with eight strikeouts, one walk two earned runs allowed on six hits (one home run) in five innings pitched.
"I thought (Kirby) threw the ball well tonight,," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said in a postgame news conference. "I thought in the second and third innings, a couple of jams, but really pitched out of it well. I thought his slider had good depth to it tonight, threw some good ones down in the zone, kind of disappeared."
Rodriguez continued to will the Mariners back into the game. He knotted the game at 2-2 with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth.
Rodriguez's single gave Seattle runners on first and second with no outs, in prime opportunity to retake the lead.
First baseman Josh Naylor grounded into a 6u-3 double play following Rodriguez's single, and second baseman Jorge Polanco lined out to end the frame.
Both bullpens stood firm for the remainder of the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, and the two teams went to extras tied 2-2.
Mariners All-Star closer Andres Munoz, who retired the side in order in the ninth, did the same in the 10th. Detroit reliever Will Vest also faced the minimum in the ninth and 10th, respectively.
In the top of the 11th, Carlos Vargas entered the game for Seattle. He walked the lead-off hitter, Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson, on seven pitches.
Torkelson moved to second on a wild pitch and was brought home by third baseman Zach McKinstry on an RBI single for the eventual final of 3-2.
In the bottom of the 11th, with two outs, Rodriguez had his third hit of the day — a single. He was left stranded at first after Naylor grounded out.
"Maybe just getting a little too big," Raleigh said after the game. "I think it's important this time of year, when the adrenaline goes up and the heart starts pounding a little more — you just got to slow the game down. Slow it down, do what we've talked about since spring training and that's staying through the middle, easy swings. Throttle it down. ... I expect the guys to come out and make the good adjustments tomorrow. We've been doing it all year."
The Mariners and Detroit will face in Game 2 of the ALDS at 5:03 p.m. PT on Sunday at T-Mobile Park. Luis Castillo will start for Seattle and defending American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will start for the Tigers.
Sunday will be the third time this season Castillo and Skubal have faced off against each other. Castillo is 2-0 in those matchups.
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