Mariners catcher Luis Torrens gets a win, Seattle sweeps Tigers in DH

SEATTLE (AP) – Luis Torrens had only a brief moment to talk about the first pitching victory of his career.

He was too busy getting ready to catch the second game of the doubleheader.

Mariners sweep: Game 1 box score | Game 2 box score

Torrens became the first position player to earn the win in Seattle history after the Mariners rallied with two runs in the bottom of the 10th inning for a 7-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader. In the nightcap, Abraham Toro homered and drove in four runs, Cal Raleigh hit his 27th home run of the season and the Mariners won to complete a sweep.

Torrens didn’t have any time to rest as he went from pitching to catching and was behind the plate for the second game. Torrens had a single and scored on Toro’s two-run homer in the fourth inning.

TORO FOR TWO! pic.twitter.com/UsJp1PWD4w

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) October 5, 2022

Toro added a two-run single in the fifth, an inning that also included Raleigh’s solo shot. It was Raleigh’s first homer since the game-winning shot in the bottom of the ninth last Friday that clinched Seattle’s first postseason berth since 2001.

Spencer Torkelson homered in both games for Detroit and Kody Clemens hit the first grand slam of his career off Seattle starter Justus Sheffield in the second game.

Seattle locked up the No. 5 seed in the American League playoffs and a date with Toronto in the best-of-three wild card series thanks to the victory in the first game and Tampa Bay’s loss in Boston. It put the final touches on the AL playoff bracket.

Mariners lock up No. 2 AL wild card, going to Toronto for playoff series

But just as notable was Torrens’ unlikely win on the mound.

“I was excited. It was great to help the team win and it’s pretty cool to be one of the only position players to get a win this year,” Torrens said before racing off to a meeting to get ready for the second game.

Torrens is the first position player in the majors other than Shohei Ohtani to earn a victory since John Baker did it for the Chicago Cubs on July 29, 2014, against Colorado. He was just the second Mariners’ position player to ever pitch in extra innings, joining Jamie Burke in 2008, also against Detroit.

Torrens is also the first player to record a win in Game 1 of a doubleheader and start Game 2 as a position player since Rocky Colavito for the Yankees on Aug. 25, 1968, per the Mariners.

“We gave him a heads up earlier today that if it does go extra innings, he was going to be out there and I thought I did a great job,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said.

With the Mariners focused on preserving arms with the playoffs on the horizon, Torrens (1-0) started warming up underneath the stadium in the ninth inning and took the mound when the game went to extra innings.

He got the unlikely victory when Toro drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly and gave Seattle it’s 12th walk-off win this season.

Toro Time! Abraham walks it off! pic.twitter.com/MBBGfXrJlk

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) October 5, 2022

“Phenomenal. Phenomenal. I know it helped out the bullpen especially, too,” said Seattle starter Chris Flexen.

Mitch Haniger and Curt Casali also homered for Seattle in the first game.

Mitch mash. pic.twitter.com/IBRao2l2Jm

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) October 4, 2022

“Today’s game doesn’t really affect things other than where we’re headed to play, but our guys don’t quit. They like competing,” Servais said.

Seattle’s primary concern was staying healthy ahead of the upcoming AL wild card series and had a moment of worry in the sixth inning of the first game when Kelenic was hit by a 91 mph fastball from Detroit starter Eduardo Rodriguez. Kelenic was hit in the ribs and was down for a few minutes before jogging to first base and remaining in the game. Servais said Kelenic had the wind knocked out of him.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Seattle placed utility man Sam Haggerty on the 10-day injured list with a groin injury that will keep him out for at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. Haggerty was hurt during a stolen base attempt in the ninth inning of Monday’s loss and could have a significant trickle down on Seattle’s playoff roster because of his versatility. Seattle recalled Toro from Triple-A Tacoma to take Haggerty’s spot.

UP NEXT

Tigers: RHP Will Vest started the second game as a bullpen day for the Tigers.

Mariners: LHP Justus Sheffield started the second game after being added as one of the extra players for the doubleheader.

Mariners Notebook: Servais on playoff roster and rotation, Julio, Haggerty