Mariners drop Game 1 of ALDS to Tigers 3-2 in extra innings

The Seattle Mariners’ return to the postseason looked a lot like their last playoff game: a low-scoring affair at T-Mobile Park that went to extra innings.

It unfortunately ended in a similar way, with the Mariners falling 3-2 to the Detroit Tigers in 11 innings.

Tigers 3, Mariners 2: Box score | Loss was about one thing

Tigers All-Star Zach McKinstry delivered a two-out RBI single in the top of the 11th against Mariners reliever Carlos Vargas that plated the winning run.

ZACH MCKINSTRY GIVES THE @TIGERS THE LEAD IN THE 11TH! #ALDS pic.twitter.com/6OSA01Kngq

— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2025

Spencer Torkelson reached on a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch before scoring on McKinstry’s single.

Julio Rodríguez was left on first base after his third hit of the night as the Mariners went down in the bottom of the 11th.

The Mariners are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Their previous postseason game was a 1-0 loss at home in 18 innings in Game 3 of the ALDS to the Houston Astros.

Rodríguez put the Mariners on the board Saturday with a solo home run in the fourth inning, then tied the game with an RBI single in the sixth.

Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez hits first career playoff home run

Cal Raleigh had a trio of singles for the Mariners but popped out to foul territory for the second out in the bottom of the 11th.

Raleigh and Rodríguez accounted for all six Mariners hits.

TIED. UP. #SeizeTheMoment pic.twitter.com/mfZ7jtIRIx

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) October 5, 2025

Mariners starter George Kirby threw five innings of two-run ball. His lone mistake was a two-run homer by Kerry Carpenter in the fifth that gave Detroit a short-lived one-run lead. It was Carpenter’s fifth career hit against Kirby, all of which have been homers.

Kerry Carpenter's career stats against George Kirby:
5-for-11
5 HR 😳#ALDS pic.twitter.com/SsEu6zMWtM

— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2025

Before Vargas pitched, five M’s relievers combined on five innings of scoreless relief.

Andrés Muñoz, Seattle’s two-time All-Star closer, threw perfect ninth and 10th innings.

Andrés Muñoz holds it down in the top of the 10th! 😤

(MLB x GEICO) pic.twitter.com/V5WXkaDvMt

— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2025

Tigers starter Troy Melton threw four innings of one-run ball. Former Mariners reliever Will Vest, who is now Detroit’s closer, threw two perfect innings to earn the win, while Keider Montero picked up the save.

Seattle’s offense had its most success on the night against another former M’s reliever, Rafael Montero, who did not record an out while facing three batters after taking over for Detroit in the sixth.

Sunday’s Game 2 is set for a 5:03 p.m. start, with three-time All-Star Luis Castillo set to pitch for the M’s against Seattle U product and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The M’s need to win to avoid going down 2-0 in the best-of-five series before it shifts to Detroit for Game 3 on Tuesday.

Mariners will face Tigers ace Tarik Skubal in Game 2 of ALDS

Radio coverage on the Seattle Sports app will begin at 2 p.m. with extended pregame, followed at 4 p.m. by the Mariners Radio Network pregame show. The radio broadcast will air in full on 770 AM and be joined at 5 p.m. on 710 AM.

More: Seattle Sports providing extended pregame during Mariners’ ALDS

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Dan Wilson discusses Mariners’ ALDS roster decisions
• Mariners’ ALDS roster comes with some surprises
• ALDS Preview: Storylines for Seattle Mariners vs. Detroit Tigers
• FOX’s Adam Amin: Seattle Mariners aren’t a ‘cute story’ anymore
• Lefko: How Seattle Mariners’ ALDS vs. Detroit Tigers will be won

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