Through a gripping 15-inning contest, the Mariners' infielder drove in the decisive score with a base hit to right field, clinching a 3-2 victory for the home team over the visiting squad in the decisive game of the American League Division Series.
The Mariners pitcher, delivering his initial bullpen outing in the big leagues, pitched one and one-third innings to secure the win, propelling his team to the AL Championship Series for the initial occasion since 2001.
Seattle will now compete against the Blue Jays for the pennant in a showdown between franchise counterparts. The series opener is scheduled for Sunday in the Blue Jays' home.
A Tigers hitter provided all of Detroit's offense with a two-run homer in the middle frames.
Seattle tied it at 2-2 in the seventh on a substitute batter's RBI single.
Each squad threatened multiple times in extra innings, with the home team hitting into twin killings in both the 12th and 13th.
The Tigers' ace and George Kirby delivered a pitchers' duel in the early innings.
Skubal, a Cy Young Award favorite, allowed a single score on a couple of hits with zero bases on balls and double-digit K's over six innings. He set a playoff mark with seven consecutive strikeouts.
His sole allowed score came in the early going, when a two-base hit, theft, and deep out scored a run for the home side.
The Mariners' pitcher began with shutout frames before surrendering a lead-off double in the middle inning. After a pitching change, the Tigers batter went deep on a fastball to give the visitors the advantage.
The starter went over five frames and was responsible for one run on three hits with zero free passes and six strikeouts.
The win marks a major milestone for the Seattle franchise, who move forward to battle for a spot in the World Series after a extended playoff drought.
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