‘I feel for him’: Phillies manager Rob Thomson on Orion Kerkering’s walk off error
Phillies manager Rob Thomson speaks to the media about Orion Kerkering’s walk-off error that sent the Dodgers to the NLCS.
Sports Pulse
It all comes down to this for the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers. There’s a winner-take-all Game 5 on Friday, Oct. 10 to close out this American League Division Series, with both teams hoping to squash lengthy postseason droughts.
Ace Tarik Skubal will take the mound for the Tigers against one of the few lineups the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner struggled against this season. The Mariners won both games Skubal pitched against them during the regular season and got two Jorge Polanco home runs off him to win Game 2 of this series. Seattle will counter with starting pitcher George Kirby, but this will be an all hands on deck affair with so much at stake.
The Tigers came from behind using a fifth-inning rally against the Mariners’ bullpen to keep their season alive with a 9-3 win in Game 4. Now, the action returns to T-Mobile Park in Seattle, where these teams split Games 1 and 2. There’s sure to be drama. The Mariners haven’t advanced to the AL Championship Series since 2001, while the Tigers are seeking their first ALCS berth in 12 years.
USA TODAY Sports is tracking everything when the Mariners host the Tigers for Game 5 of their ALDS. Follow along here for live updates:
Pitcher Tarik Skubal continues to show he’s in control on the mound for the Tigers as he retires the side for a second straight inning. He finished out the fourth inning, throwing back-to-back 100 MPH four-seam fastballs. Skubal has 10 strikeouts tonight, with the last seven coming in a row.
Score: Mariners 1, Tigers 0
Mariners pitcher George Kirby has thrown four scoreless innings so far.
Kirby did hit Tigers designated hitter Colt Keith with a pitch on the top of the foot, putting him on base. Keith doesn’t appear to have an issue with his foot as he attempted to steal second base.
Kirby followed threw on his pitch, before catcher Cal Raleigh got the ball over to the second baseman Jorge Polanco fast enough to end the inning.
Score: Mariners 1, Tigers 0
Skubal made quick work of the Mariners in the bottom of the third, striking out J.P. Crawford, Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh in order.
Score: Mariners 1, Tigers 0
Josh Naylor hit a double in the second inning, sending the ball to left field off a pitch thrown by starter Tarik Skubal. Naylor would steal third before Mitch Garver followed up with a sac fly to bring him in. The Mariners take the early lead against the Tigers.
Score: Mariners 1, Tigers 0
Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr. was driven out of the tunnel and onto the field at T-Mobile Park ahead of Game 5 on Friday.
Cal Raleigh produced the only hit for the Mariners against Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal in the bottom of the first inning.
Skubal struck out the final two batters he faced to get the Tigers out of the inning.
Score: Tigers 0, Mariners 0
Mariners pitcher George Kirby has a solid outing in the top of the first inning, allowing a hit and striking out two of the three batters he faced. The Tigers left Riley Green on base.
Score: Tigers 0, Mariners 0
What time is Tigers vs Mariners Game 5 today?
First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Where to watch Mariners vs Tigers: TV channel, live stream
Friday’s Game 5 will air on Fox and can be streamed with Fubo.
Watch Tigers-Mariners ALDS on Fubo
USA TODAY Sports’ MLB writers are split on the Tigers-Mariners Game 5:
Mariners vs Tigers odds
Randy Arozarena, LF
Cal Raleigh, C
Julio RodrÃguez, CF
Jorge Polanco, 2B
Eugenio Suárez, 3B
Josh Naylor, 1B
Mitch Garver, DH
Victor Robles, RF
J.P. Crawford, SS
George Kirby, P
Kerry Carpenter, RF
Gleyber Torres, 2B
Riley Greene, LF
Spencer Torkelson, 1B
Colt Keith, DH
Zach McKinstry, 3B
Dillon Dingler, C
Parker Meadows, CF
Javier Báez, SS
Tarik Skubal, P
Mariners manager Dan Wilson expects the team’s fanbase to play a key role in Game 5 against the Tigers at T-Mobile Park on Friday night.
“T-Mobile is legendary for the feeling that it invokes in players and coaches and those who are out there,” Wilson told reporters before the game. “This is an electric place and this is an electric fan base and they’re going to be out in full force tonight.