Detroit Tigers Win 11-Inning ALDS Opener Over Seattle Mariners

Zach McKinstry’s two-out, first-pitch RBI single in the top of the 11th inning scored Spencer Torkelson and gave the Detroit Tigers a 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners in Game 1 of the AL Division Series at T-Mobile Park. Kerry Carpenter turned the tide with a two-run homer in the fifth off George Kirby, while Julio Rodríguez provided Seattle’s offense with a fourth-inning solo homer and a sixth-inning RBI single; otherwise the Mariners’ lineup was largely silenced. The marathon contest used a combined 15 pitchers; Will Vest worked two scoreless innings in relief for Detroit, Keider Montero closed out his first career postseason save, and Carlos Vargas issued the leadoff walk in the 11th before yielding McKinstry’s hit. The Tigers — who squeezed into the playoffs after a late-season wobble and a Wild Card series win at Cleveland — now lead the best-of-five series 1-0 and will send ace Tarik Skubal to the mound in Game 2 while Seattle plans to counter with Luis Castillo. Losing Game 1 at home makes Seattle’s path more difficult in the short series, leaving the Mariners facing long odds to rally back.