The Detroit Tigers' season ended in the most gut-wrenching way possible Friday night when Seattle Mariners beat them 3-2 in a record-breaking 15-inning Game 5 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. This wasn't just another loss—it was the longest winner-take-all postseason game in Major League Baseball history, stretching deep into the Pacific Northwest night. Jorge Polanco, the Mariners' designated hitter and second baseman, delivered the walk-off single that scored J.P. Crawford, ending Detroit's rollercoaster season at the exact moment hope finally died.
Here's the thing: the Tigers had led since the sixth inning when Kerry Carpenter crushed a two-run homer off Gabe Speier. But they stranded two runners in the eighth, 11th, and 12th innings—finishing 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. That's not just bad luck; it's a season-long pattern that started with their September collapse after leading MLB at the All-Star break. The final out—a soft ground ball to third base—felt like a sickening thud for fans who saw history repeat the 2009 AL Central tiebreaker loss.
A Record-Breaking Marathon
When the clock hit 12:30 a.m. local time, 15 innings had been played—330 minutes of tension that saw Tarik Skubal, the Tigers' starting pitcher and 2024 Cy Young Award winner, establish a new MLB postseason record. He struck out seven consecutive batters from the third through fifth innings, finishing with 10 total strikeouts over 5.1 innings. But even that historic performance wasn't enough to offset Detroit's offensive failures. They left 10 men on base, including Zach McKinstry thrown out at home in the 12th with nobody out and runners on second and third.
"We had seven outs to win and couldn't get it done," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said, voice hoarse from the marathon. "That's baseball, but it cuts deeper when you know how hard these guys fought all year." The Mariners' George Kirby, who started Game 1, actually held Detroit scoreless for the first five innings before Carpenter's homer. Seattle's lone run before extra innings came on Mitch Garver's sacrifice fly scoring Ty France in the second.
Offensive Woes Cost Tigers
What made this loss especially painful was how the Tigers' offense vanished when it mattered most. After leading the American League with a .261 team batting average and 4.8 runs per game through June, they completely cratered in September—winning just 12 of 29 games. That collapse cost them the AL Central title and forced them through the Wild Card Series. And in this Division Series? A brutal 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position.
"It's like we forgot how to hit with runners up," admitted Tigers veteran Kerry Carpenter, who had four of Detroit's eight hits and both runs. "We had chances. So many chances." The numbers don't lie: 10 stranded runners, multiple two-on, nobody-out situations wasted. Relief pitcher Keider Montero kept the Tigers alive with a crucial double play in the 12th, but the offense never rewarded him.
Skubal's Historic Night
Amid the heartbreak, Skubal's performance deserves its own story. His seven straight strikeouts (from the third through fifth innings) shattered the previous postseason record. "I've never felt that kind of focus," Skubal said later, still in his uniform at 2 a.m. "Every pitch felt like it mattered more than the last."
Yet the 28-year-old lefty got a no-decision after leaving with the Tigers ahead 2-1 in the sixth. The bullpen couldn't hold the lead, and by the 15th inning, Tommy Kahnle—wearing down after multiple scoreless innings—served up Polanco's game-winner. Skubal's record will be remembered, but the loss overshadowed it. As one veteran scout put it: "Great pitching gets forgotten when you lose in 15. That's the cruelty of October baseball."
From All-Star Dominance to September Collapse
Let's rewind to July. The Tigers had the best record in baseball (48-32) at the All-Star break. They looked unstoppable. Then came September—a 12-17 disaster that dropped them from division champs to Wild Card contenders. They barely survived Cleveland in the Wild Card Series before pushing Seattle to the brink.
"We were a different team after August," admitted Hinch. "Injuries played a part, but we lost our timing." The contrast was staggering: first-half Tigers averaged 4.8 runs per game; in September? Just 3.4. That decline directly led to this 15-inning nightmare. Fans couldn't help but recall the 2009 AL Central tiebreaker loss—another extra-inning heartbreaker that ended on a walk-off single at the Metrodome.
What This Loss Means
For Seattle, this is monumental. The Mariners advance to face Toronto in the AL Championship Series starting Tuesday, October 14 at Rogers Centre—their first ALCS appearance since 2001. That 24-year drought is finally over. But for Detroit? It's a fresh wound for a fanbase that hasn't seen the Tigers in the ALCS since 2013.
"You see the kids in the stands with tears in their eyes," said longtime Tigers season ticket holder Maria Chen. "They were too young for 2013. Now they know how it feels to have hope crushed." The team's front office now faces tough questions: Do they build around Skubal and Carpenter? Or is a full rebuild needed after the September collapse?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this game considered historic?
This 15-inning contest (330 minutes) is officially the longest winner-take-all postseason game in MLB history, surpassing the previous 14-inning record. The game ended at 1:23 a.m. local time after starting at 7:08 p.m., with both teams using 17 pitchers combined. It's the first time since 1986 that an ALDS Game 5 went beyond the 12th inning.
How did the Tigers reach the ALDS after their September struggles?
Despite finishing 12-17 in September, Detroit (87-75) secured an AL Wild Card spot as the Central's second-place team. They then defeated Cleveland 4-3 in the Wild Card Series Game 3, overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the ninth inning. That win forced them into the ALDS against Seattle, where they won Game 1 but lost Games 2 and 3 before forcing Game 5.
What makes Skubal's strikeout record significant?
Skubal's seven consecutive strikeouts (third through fifth innings) broke the previous postseason record of six held by four pitchers including Chris Sale. He became only the second left-handed pitcher in MLB history to strike out seven straight in any game, joining Sandy Koufax. The streak included all three outs in the fourth inning on just nine pitches.
Why did the Tigers struggle so badly with runners in scoring position?
The Tigers' 0-for-9 with RISP in Game 5 continued a season-long trend. After hitting .287 in those situations before the All-Star break, they dropped to .192 in September and .133 in the playoffs. Hitters admitted changing approach: "We got too pull-happy," Carpenter said. "Tried to hit home runs instead of making contact with two strikes. It cost us."
What's next for both teams?
The Mariners (90-72) face Toronto in the ALCS starting Tuesday, October 14 at Rogers Centre. Detroit will focus on offseason moves, including contract decisions for free agents like center fielder Riley Greene. General manager Scott Harris must address the offense's September collapse while building around Cy Young winner Skubal and 24-year-old slugger Carpenter.
