Detroit Tigers

Tigers-Mariners⁤ Game 5 Takeaways: Seattle Advances to​ ALCS ⁤in 15-Inning Thriller

Teh ⁣Seattle Mariners ‍are heading⁢ to⁣ the⁢ American League Championship Series after a ​grueling 15-inning victory over the Detroit Tigers in game 5 of ‌the ALDS on ⁣October 11, 2025.The game, a⁤ back-and-forth affair, ultimately ended with a score that ​reflected its ⁢length and intensity.

The ⁤Mariners’ victory wasn’t without strategic‌ gambles ​and standout performances, while the Tigers saw a legendary October showing from veteran Justin Carpenter​ ultimately fall short.

Wilson’s‌ Early Hook ‍Backfires

Mariners manager scott Wilson made a controversial decision to remove starting pitcher Luis Kirby in the fifth inning, despite a relatively strong​ outing. ⁣This move came after Carpenter ⁣had previously⁤ hit a two-run⁣ homer off Kirby in Game ‍1. However, the change to a middle reliever, a pitcher Carpenter was familiar with, proved ineffective. The reliever surrendered a hit, continuing a pattern of struggles against the Tigers’ designated hitter.

Rivas’ Pinch-Hit Spark

Wilson demonstrated astute gamesmanship in the seventh inning. With Kyle⁣ Finnegan on the mound, Seattle initially signaled a batting change from Mitch​ Garver​ to ​Dom Canzone, anticipating a favorable matchup against a right-handed pitcher. ‍ Tigers manager A.J. Hinch ‍responded⁣ by bringing in‍ left-hander Tyler ⁤Holton. Wilson then countered ‌ again, substituting Canzone ​with⁤ Leo Rivas, a⁢ 5-foot-8 utility​ player celebrating his 28th birthday⁣ that‌ day. Rivas, making his first appearance ⁣of the series, delivered a game-tying single to⁢ left field on Holton’s second pitch, igniting the Seattle crowd.

Carpenter’s⁤ October Brilliance, Limited by​ Support

Justin Carpenter continued ⁢to cement his reputation​ as a postseason performer. ‌Facing Seattle left-hander Gabe Speier in the sixth inning, Carpenter – a​ player frequently enough⁣ pinch-hit for against ⁣lefties throughout his career ​- launched a two-run, go-ahead home run. He finished the night 4-for-5 with two walks, and his home⁤ run against Speier may rival his ALDS home run against Emmanuel ‍Clase from the previous season as his most memorable October ‌moment. Carpenter became the first player since Babe Ruth in Game 7 of⁣ the 1926 World Series to reach base ⁤five times and hit ‌a home run in a decisive ⁤playoff game, according to OptaStats.‍ Despite his exceptional ​performance, ‌the‌ rest of ​the‌ Tigers lineup managed only four hits. ​ The Mariners intentionally walked Carpenter with two outs​ in the 11th inning, but ​escaped the⁢ jam when Gleyber Torres ‌flew out to right field.

Skubal’s dominant Outing ​Undone ⁣by Lack of Run Support

Tarik⁤ Skubal delivered⁣ a ‌dominant performance ⁣for the Tigers, ‍striking‍ out a record ‌13 Mariners batters⁤ in a winner-take-all‍ postseason game.He also set a new ⁣postseason record by striking out seven consecutive batters between the ⁣second and fourth innings. ⁤ Skubal pitched six innings, allowing⁣ only two hits and one earned run, with ⁣no walks and 13‍ strikeouts. His final ‌line included ​99 pitches, forcing Hinch to utilize his bullpen earlier than planned. ⁢ Despite ‌Skubal’s stellar⁣ outing – finishing ⁣the ALDS with a 2.08 ERA, 0.62 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts in two starts – the‍ tigers ultimately lost both games due to limited offensive support.Relievers Kyle Finnegan and Tyler Holton were unable‍ to hold the lead after Skubal’s ​departure, with Finnegan ‌walking a batter and surrendering‍ a single, and⁤ Holton ultimately giving up the go-ahead hit.

The‌ Mariners’ resilience‍ and strategic maneuvering ultimately proved too much for the​ Tigers, ‌sending ⁢seattle to the ALCS.