DETROIT, MI — Just three outs away from a World Series berth, the Tigers watched victory slip away as J.P. Crawford launched a go-ahead two-run homer in the ninth inning to lift the Mariners to a 3-2 victory in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.
The comeback win keeps Seattle alive and sends the series back to T-Mobile Park for Game 6, with Detroit still holding a 3-2 series lead.
For most of the night, it looked as though Tarik Skubal would be the story. The Tigers ace dominated through 6.1 scoreless innings, striking out nine while allowing six hits. He exited in the seventh after surpassing 120 pitches with Detroit holding a 1-0 lead.
Seattle immediately threatened after Skubal’s departure. With one out and a runner aboard, Tyler Holton entered in relief and allowed a single to Jeff McNeil, putting two runners on base. But the Mariners failed to cash in as Brendan Donovan struck out and Crawford popped out to end the inning.
Detroit added what appeared to be a crucial insurance run in the bottom of the seventh. Parker Meadows reached on a fielder’s choice that allowed Zack McKinstry to score from third, extending the Tigers’ lead to 2-0.
The Mariners finally broke through in the eighth when Josh Naylor delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit in half. However, Seattle stranded two runners and remained behind 2-1 entering the ninth.
With the lead intact, Detroit turned to closer Matt Svanson. The inning started poorly as Svanson walked McNeil before striking out Donovan. That brought Crawford to the plate, and the Mariners shortstop delivered the biggest hit of Seattle’s season — a 360-foot homer to right that suddenly gave the Mariners a 3-2 lead.
Seattle closer Andrés Muñoz made sure the comeback held up. He retired the Tigers in order in the bottom of the ninth, silencing the Comerica Park crowd and forcing the ALCS back to Seattle for another game.
The Tigers remain one win away from the World Series, but the Mariners have regained momentum and will try to force a winner-take-all Game 7 on their home field.
