Javier Báez’s incredible Game 4 performance and the Detroit Tigers’ comeback 9-3 win over the Seattle Mariners forced a decisive Game 5 in the American League Division Series.
Báez capped off his incredible Game 4 performance with a two-run, home run in the bottom of the sixth to help the Tigers seal victory. Báez finished 2-of-4 at the plate with four RBI, finishing with a .346 batting average.
Riley Greene added a RBI, going 1-for-4 with a home run. Zach McKinstry chipped in another, going 3-for-4 at the plate, while Dillon Dingler and Jahmai Jones each drove in a run. Gleyber Torres also added a home run and RBI, finishing 2-for-3.
Fans praised Báez and the Tigers on social media for their rallying comeback to force a Game 5.
It looked like the Mariners were running away with the series, as they built a 3-0 lead by the top of the fifth.
Dominic Canzone drove in a run in the second inning to open the scoring, Josh Naylor crossed the plate in the fourth on a grounded double play, and Cal Raleigh added a RBI in the fifth.
But that’s where the momentum stalled for Seattle after it appeared the team was on its way to advancing to the ALCS.
The Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with RBI from Dingler, Jones and Báez.
Another explosive inning in the sixth saw McKinstry drive in a run, Greene crush a 454-foot home run and Báez hit his first postseason homer since 2018, propelling the Tigers past the Mariners 7-3. Torres added a single-home run in the seventh.
The winner of the ALDS between the No. 2 Mariners and No. 6 Tigers will move on to face whoever emerges from the matchup between the No. 4 New York Yankees and No. 1 Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series. The Blue Jays lead that series 2-1.
ALDS Game 5 will shift back to Seattle on Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 4:40 p.m. ET.
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