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Through a gripping 15-inning battle, the Mariners' infielder delivered the winning run with a base hit to right field, sealing a narrow victory for the Seattle Mariners over the Detroit Tigers in the decisive game of the ALDS.

Decisive Plays in the Marathon Matchup

Luis Castillo, delivering his initial bullpen outing in the big leagues, pitched one and one-third innings to earn the victory, sending his team to the ALCS for the initial occasion since 2001.

The Mariners will now face the Toronto for the pennant in a showdown between franchise brethren. The series opener is set for Sunday in the Blue Jays' home.

Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence

• The leadoff hitter started the final half of the 15th with a line-drive single to right field.
• Randy Arozarena was struck by a throw, placing runners on first and second.
• After a teammate made an out, a throwing error by the outfielder allowed Crawford to advance.
• Following an strategic base on balls, the batter connected on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.

Key Runs and Pitching Efforts

A Tigers hitter accounted for all of the visitors' offense with a home run in the sixth inning.

Seattle evened the score at two runs apiece in the later inning on a pinch hitter's run-scoring hit.

Each squad threatened repeatedly in extra innings, with the home team grounding into inning-ending double plays in both the later extra innings.

Opening Hurlers Duel

The Tigers' ace and the Mariners' starter delivered a pitchers' duel in the early innings.

Skubal, a Cy Young Award contender, allowed a single score on a couple of hits with zero bases on balls and double-digit K's over multiple frames. He set a playoff mark with back-to-back K's.

His sole allowed score occurred in the second inning, when a two-base hit, stolen base, and deep out brought home a point for the Mariners.

Kirby began with five scoreless innings before surrendering a early hit in the middle inning. After a bullpen move, the Tigers batter went deep on a pitch to hand the visitors the lead.

Kirby went five-plus innings and was charged with a single score on three hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

The win signifies a major achievement for the Mariners, who advance to compete for a place in the championship after a extended playoff drought.