Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco reacts after hitting an RBI-single for shortstop J.P. Crawford to score the game-winning run during the 15th inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
SEATTLE — Jorge Polanco hit a game-ending single in the 15th inning, and the Seattle Mariners advanced to the AL Championship Series by outlasting the Detroit Tigers for a 3-2 victory Friday night in the longest winner-take-all postseason game in baseball history.
With one out and the bases loaded, Polanco drove in J.P. Crawford with a liner to right off Tommy Kahnle. Crawford hit a leadoff single, Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch and Julio Rodríguez was intentionally walked before Polanco's big swing on the 472nd pitch of an epic Game 5 in a tightly contested Division Series.
The Mariners left 12 runners on base and still managed to advance to the ALCS for the first time since 2001. Next up is a matchup with the AL East champion Blue Jays, beginning on Sunday night at Toronto.
“We never give up. We just keep fighting. It doesn’t matter how many innings we play,” Polanco said. “We just stay ready and wait for the moment. It’s going to come. It was my time.”
Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco (7) hits an RBI-single for shortstop J.P. Crawford to score the game-winning run during the 15th inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena catches a fly ball hit by Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene to take it to the bottom of the 15th inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Detroit Tigers center fielder Javier Báez (28) walks to the dugout after popping out to end the top of the 14th inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Logan Gilbert reacts during the 14th inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)