Zach McKinstry’s clutch hit in extra innings helps Tigers narrowly defeat Mariners to claim first series win on the road

The Detroit Tigers endured the electric playoff environment at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, along with George Kirby’s blazing fast pitches and the Mariners’ strong bullpen. Ultimately, with two outs in the 11th inning, Zach McKinstry delivered a go-ahead single to first base, securing a 3-2 victory for the Tigers and giving them the series lead in the American League Division Series opener. Next, they have a chance to rely on Tarik Skubal’s dominant starting pitching to close out their long two-week road trip and bring the series back home to Comerica Park with an advantage.

“I was looking for his sinker,” McKinstry said after the game, “He throws that pitch often, and I got a good one to get the job done.”

Early in the game, the Tigers seemed poised to repeat their previous wildcard series struggles with runners in scoring position but no hits, going 0-for-6 in such situations over the first three innings and leaving four runners stranded against Kirby. In the fifth inning, Kerry Carpenter finally broke the deadlock by hitting his fifth career home run off Kirby, driving in Parker Meadows.

“I really respect him because he throws very tricky pitches,” Carpenter said during the FOX postgame show. “He’s an All-Star pitcher and very talented. Maybe it’s his release point—I could clearly see the ball leave his hand and was able to wait on his fastball.”

Following that, Riley Greene hit a single to first base, but that was the only hit the Tigers managed in the next 22 batters until McKinstry came up in the 11th inning. At that point, Spencer Torkelson was on second base after a walk. Facing the Mariners’ sixth pitcher of the night, Carlos Vargas, McKinstry ended a 0-for-17 streak (dating back to September 25 against the Guardians) by driving a 99.6 mph sinker through the middle of the infield, allowing Torkelson to sprint home from third and score.

Detroit’s bullpen combined to pitch seven innings after rookie starter Troy Melton, allowing only one run, which came from a brief and error-filled three-batter stint by former Mariners pitcher Rafael Montero. Former Mariners Rule 5 draft pick Will Vest retired all batters he faced in the 9th and 10th innings, stabilizing the game and setting up the Tigers for victory. Keider Montero, who was originally expected to start, eventually came in to close the game and earned his first career major league save.

For tomorrow’s second game, the Tigers will start 2024 Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, while the Mariners will counter with Luis Castillo.

Under the current 2-2-1 division series format, the team that wins the first road game has advanced 34 out of 46 times (73.9%).

“It’s great to have a 1-0 lead going into Skubal’s start,” McKinstry said. “He’s going all out, his stuff is powerful, and he’s one of the top pitchers in the league. Playing behind him is a real pleasure. Winning this first game feels amazing.”