The Detroit Tigers kept their season alive with a dominant 9-3 win over the Seattle Mariners in Game 4. The victory forced a do-or-die Game 5 as the ALDS shifted back to Seattle. While the Mariners have home field advantage for the series finale, the Tigers have Tarik Skubal.
The reigning AL Cy Young winner was once again lights-out for Detroit, allowing one run on two hits and no walks with 13 strikeouts in six innings. Skubal set a postseason record with seven consecutive strikeouts against the Mariners. And he ended his night in a marquee battle with Cal Raleigh.
This 100.9 MPH fastball from Tarik Skubal was his fastest pitch of the night https://t.co/2aXETY60m6
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 11, 2025
Protecting a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning and sitting at 96 pitches, Skubal dug deep when facing the MLB home run king. The Tigers' ace blew a 100.9 mph fastball past a swinging Raleigh, striking him out on three-straight pitches.
Tarik Skubal dominates in Tigers' must-win game
Skubal has been excellent for a Tigers team that limped into the playoffs with a Wild Card berth. He got a win in the ALWCS against the Cleveland Guardians. And Skubal picked up a no decision with a quality start in Game 2 of the NLDS.
Josh Naylor's base running got the Mariners on the board in Game 5. After a doubling in the second inning, Naylor stole second and scored on Mitch Garver's sac fly.
Seattle starter George Kirby worked into the sixth inning without allowing a run. But Javy Baez led off the sixth with a double. And Kerry Carpenter's 411-foot homer gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead.
Kyle Finnegan replaced Skubal in the seventh inning but the Mariners quickly chased him from the game. Tyler Holton took over for the Tigers and promptly gave up a game-tying single to pinch-hitter Leo Rivas.
After a 56-homer regular season Raleigh has continued to hit in the playoffs. His MVP-caliber campaign helped the Mariners secure the No. 2 seed, earning a first-round bye. Against the Tigers, Raleigh is slashing .421/.476/.632 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored.
The closely matched teams remain knotted at 2-2 in the eighth inning of the winner-take-all Game 5. Following Skubal's dominant showing, the Tigers moved on to a third reliever, tabbing Will Vest to start the eighth.
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