The Seattle Mariners weathered the storm against the Detroit Tigers' sensational southpaw Tarik Skubal and capitalized on Detroit's bullpen to even the American League Division Series at one a piece on Sunday night.
The Tigers shocked the Mariners with an extra-innings Game 1 victory, and went into Game 2 with their ace on the mound with a chance to go up 2-0 in the best of five series.
However, despite another gem from Skubal, the Mariners scored just enough runs to get the victory and tie the series, 1-1, as it heads back to Detroit.
Skubal Joins Elite Company, But Mariners Win
Skubal made his second start of the 2025 postseason on Sunday night and threw another gem of an outing.
After going 7.2 innings allowing just one run on three hits and three walks, and collecting 14 strikeouts against the Cleveland Guardians in the wild card series, Skubal put up another quality start on Sunday night.
The Tigers' ace completed seven innings and gave up two runs, on two solo home runs, and struck out nine batters.
POV: you are facing Tarik Skubal 😬 pic.twitter.com/ysnoGXRCvp
— MLB (@MLB) October 6, 2025
With 14 strikeouts in his first start and nine on Sunday night, Skubal became just the fourth pitcher in MLB history with at least 23 strikeouts through their first two starts of the postseason, according to Just Baseball.
The others? Sandy Koufax in 1963, Bob Gibson in 1968 and Gerrit Cole in 2019.
However, despite another stellar start from Skubal, which further cemented himself in MLB history, the Mariners scratched across just enough runs to even the ALDS.
JORGE POLANCO AGAIN! #ALDS pic.twitter.com/hVOUR8N4Ne
— MLB (@MLB) October 6, 2025
Infielder Jorge Polanco accounted for both runs against Skubal, taking him deep in the fourth and sixth innings. However, the Tigers responded with a Spencer Torkelson two-run double in the top of the eighth inning to tie the game.
But, in the bottom of the eighth, the Mariners big two came through again. Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez hit back-to-back doubles to put the Mariners back on top and that was all Seattle would need.
The Mariners picked up their first home win in the postseason since 2001 and tied the ALDS at 1-1. The Tigers and Mariners will face off in Game 3 of the series on Tuesday afternoon in Detroit.