Mariners advance to first ALCS since 2001 after longest winner-take-all game in MLB history

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If you stayed up for the decisive Game 5 between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers, it was worth every second.

In a game that lasted roughly five hours and ended after 1 a.m. ET, the Mariners are headed to their first American League Championship Series in 24 years after a 3-2 win in a 15-inning marathon.

Both teams were kept scoreless from the top of the eighth through the top of the 15th, but the Mariners finally pulled through with Jorge Polanco’s bases-loaded single to send them to the ALCS and end the longest winner-take-all game in history.

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Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco (7) is celebrated by teammates after a walk-off single against the Detroit Tigers during the 15th inning duringGame 5 of the American League Division Series at T-Mobile Park.  (Steven Bisig/Imagn Images)

Detroit wasted a stellar performance by Tarik Skubal, who struck out 13 while pitching six innings of one-run ball. The soon-to-be two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner was taken out of the game with a 2-1 lead, and the Tigers’ bullpen promptly allowed the tying run in the seventh.

It did not help matters that the Tigers went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base, with their only two runs coming on a two-run home run by Kerry Carpenter in the sixth. Seattle was hardly better, leaving a dozen on, but they were the ones who came through.

The phrase "everyone is available in October" was well put to use. After both starters, George Kirby and Skubal, left the game, three other starting pitchers were used. The Tigers had Jack Flaherty go for two innings on two days’