Detroit Tigers Clinch Nail-Biting Extra-Innings Victory Over Seattle Mariners

The Detroit Tigers are now just one win away from their first trip to the American League Championship Series (ALCS) in 12 years after securing a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 1 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) on Saturday night.

The game reached extra innings, where Zach McKinstry delivered a clutch RBI single in the 11th frame, marking an incredible moment for the Tigers. Prior to this pivotal hit, McKinstry had been struggling at the plate, with an 0-for-17 streak. His go-ahead extra innings hit was the first of its kind for the Tigers in the postseason since 2012, underscoring the significance of the moment.

In the 11th inning, the Mariners faced trouble after Spencer Torkelson reached second base due to a walk followed by a wild pitch from Mariners pitcher Carlos Vargas. Although Vargas managed to strike out two batters, McKinstry’s timely single drove Torkelson home, giving the Tigers the lead. Tigers closer Keider Montero then took the mound to secure the win, wrapping up the game in the bottom of the 11th.

Earlier in the contest, Tigers starter Troy Melton initially kept the Mariners scoreless until the fourth inning, when Julio Rodríguez hit the first postseason home run of his career. This significant hit also marked the Mariners' first postseason runner home since Game 2 of the 2001 ALCS.

The Tigers responded in the fifth inning, with Parker Meadows beginning the rally with a single. Kerry Carpenter then blasted a homer off pitcher George Kirby, giving Detroit its first lead of the game. Kirby had previously faced Carpenter five times in his career, with Carpenter now holding an impressive 5-for-11 record against him with five home runs.

Rodríguez returned to contribute for the Mariners in the sixth inning, tying the game at 2-2 with an RBI single. In a tense ninth inning, Meadows appeared poised to secure victory once again, but Mariners reliever Andrés Muñoz managed to make a crucial catch, preserving the tie.

In a final attempt, Rodríguez singled again in the bottom of the 11th, but Montero skillfully forced Josh Naylor into a ground out, sealing the victory for the Tigers.

Now, the Tigers are set to look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead when Tarik Skubal steps on the mound for Game 2 of the ALDS on Sunday night at 8:03 p.m. ET in Seattle.