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During an intense 15-inning contest, the Mariners' infielder drove in the decisive score with a base hit to right field, clinching a narrow win for the Seattle Mariners over the visiting squad in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.

Decisive Plays in the Extended Matchup

The Mariners pitcher, delivering his initial bullpen outing in the major leagues, threw over an inning to secure the win, sending his team to the AL Championship Series for the first time in over two decades.

Seattle will now face the Blue Jays for the pennant in a showdown between 1977 expansion counterparts. Game 1 is set for Sunday in Toronto.

Final Inning Game-Winning Sequence

• The leadoff hitter started the bottom of the last inning with a line-drive single to the outfield.
• Another batter was struck by a throw, placing runners on first and second.
• After a teammate flied out, a throwing error by the outfielder allowed Crawford to advance.
• Following an strategic base on balls, the batter connected on a 3-2 pitch to end the contest.

Key Runs and Defensive Efforts

Kerry Carpenter provided all of the visitors' scoring with a home run in the sixth inning.

The Mariners evened the score at two runs apiece in the seventh on a substitute batter's RBI single.

Each squad posed a danger repeatedly in extra innings, with the home team grounding into twin killings in both the 12th and 13th.

Starting Pitchers Duel

Tarik Skubal and the Mariners' starter delivered a pitchers' duel in the early innings.

The left-hander, a Cy Young Award favorite, allowed one run on a couple of hits with zero bases on balls and double-digit K's over multiple frames. He established a playoff mark with seven consecutive strikeouts.

His sole allowed score occurred in the second inning, when a two-base hit, theft, and sacrifice fly brought home a point for the home side.

The Mariners' pitcher began with five scoreless innings before allowing a lead-off double in the sixth. After a pitching change, Carpenter went deep on a pitch to hand the visitors the lead.

Kirby went five-plus innings and was charged with one run on a few hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

The win marks a significant milestone for the Mariners, who advance to compete for a spot in the World Series after a extended playoff drought.