Polanco Powers Mariners To Dramatic Win As Seattle Shifts ALDS Momentum With Stunning Game Two Victory

In a playoff atmosphere crackling with tension, the Seattle Mariners clawed their way back into the series, securing a nail-biting 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday evening at T-Mobile Park. The win knotted the American League Division Series at one game apiece, shifting the momentum as the series heads back to the Motor City. 

The Mariners rode the powerful bat of Jorge Polanco, who launched two solo home runs, and the late-game heroics of Julio Rodríguez, whose go-ahead double in the eighth inning proved to be the decisive blow. For the Tigers, it was a story of what could have been. They squandered a brilliant seven-inning performance from their ace, Tarik Skubal, only to see their bullpen falter in the most critical moment of the game.

Now, the pressure mounts. What started in the Emerald City as a battle for divisional supremacy will now move to Detroit, where every pitch and every at-bat will be magnified. The Tigers will need to regroup and find a way to support their pitching, while the Mariners will look to carry the energy from this dramatic win.

Key Takeaways from the Mariners’ Win

Polanco’s Power Play. Polanco put the Mariners on his back. He became the first Seattle player with a multi-homer postseason game since the legendary Jay Buhner in 1995. “It felt great to contribute like that,” Polanco said, and his two solo shots off an ace like Skubal were the lifeblood of Seattle’s offense when runs were precious.

Skubal’s Valiant Effort. Skubal was magnificent, a true ace on the mound. He went seven strong innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out nine. Despite Polanco getting the better of him twice, Skubal gave his team every chance to win. It was a gut-wrenching outcome for a pitcher who left everything on the field.

Torkelson’s Late Spark. Just when it seemed the Tigers’ offense was asleep, Spencer Torkelson woke everyone up. His clutch two-run double in the top of the eighth inning tied the game and sent a surge of electricity through the Detroit dugout. It was a massive, pressure-packed hit that showcased his potential as a cornerstone player.

J-Rod Does It Again. Superstars deliver in the biggest moments, and Rodríguez is a superstar. With the game tied in the bottom of the eighth, he laced a double to left field that scored Cal Raleigh, delivering the game-winning run. That single swing of the bat flipped the script and secured the win for Seattle.

Bullpen Battle Decides It. This game was a stark reminder that playoff baseball often comes down to the bullpens. While Seattle’s relievers, Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz, slammed the door, Detroit’s Kyle Finnegan couldn’t hold the line. The contrast was the difference in a game decided by the slimmest of margins.

A Game of Missed Chances. Both teams will look back on runners left stranded. The Tigers left seven men on base, unable to capitalize on opportunities earlier in the game. That inability to score against Luis Castillo and the early Seattle relievers ultimately came back to haunt them, proving costly in the one-run loss.

Castillo’s Command. Seattle’s starter, Luis Castillo, didn’t have his sharpest stuff, walking four batters, but he battled. He pitched 4.2 scoreless innings, bending but never breaking. His ability to navigate trouble and keep the Tigers off the board early was crucial, setting the stage for the late-inning drama.

Game Summary

The game remained a tense, scoreless deadlock for the first three innings as Tarik Skubal and Luis Castillo traded zeroes. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Jorge Polanco broke the tie, launching a solo home run to left-center field. The blast gave the Seattle Mariners a 1-0 lead.

Two innings later, Polanco did it again. In the bottom of the sixth, he sent another solo shot over the left-field wall, doubling Seattle’s advantage. The Mariners now led 2-0.

The game took a dramatic turn in the top of the eighth. With two runners on, Spencer Torkelson ripped a double to right field, scoring both Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene to tie the game. The Tigers had roared back, making it 2-2.

The tie was short-lived. In the bottom of the eighth, Cal Raleigh led off with a double, and Julio Rodríguez followed with a double of his own, scoring Raleigh and putting Seattle back in front. The Mariners held a 3-2 lead.