SEATTLE (AP) — Zach McKinstry was banking on Carlos Vargas throwing him a sinker, and that's precisely what the All-Star third baseman got.
McKinstry singled home the tiebreaking run with two outs in the 11th inning and the Detroit Tigers outlasted the Seattle Mariners for a 3-2 victory in Game 1 of their AL Division Series on Saturday.
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Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh reacts after popping out to Detroit Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry during the 11th inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez reacts after the team's loss in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene, right, and second baseman Gleyber Torres celebrate after the team's win in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Detroit Tigers' Kerry Carpenter reacts after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Detroit Tigers' Spencer Torkelson runs home to score the go-ahead run off of a single hit by Zach McKinstry during the 11th inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Detroit Tigers' Zach McKinstry hits a single to score Spencer Torkelson for the go-ahead run during the 11th inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer in the fifth for the resurgent Tigers, who squandered a huge lead in the AL Central and nearly collapsed entirely down the stretch before squeezing into the playoffs.
After winning their Wild Card Series at Cleveland, they can take a commanding 2-0 lead in this best-of-five matchup against AL West champion Seattle with dominant ace Tarik Skubal on the mound Sunday.
“All year long, I feel like we were either down or we were up,” McKinstry said. “We’re up right now, and we’re getting a lot of wins. Things are going our way."
In the first extra-inning game of this postseason, McKinstry pounced on the first pitch he saw from Vargas, a 99.6 mph sinker, and grounded it up the middle to score Spencer Torkelson from second base.
“I was kind of leaning on the, you know, he was going to throw 80% two-seams. And just kind of leaning on that and knowing what he was going to throw there,” McKinstry said. “Just trying to attack early.”
Torkelson, who walked leading off the 11th, advanced to second on a wild pitch by Vargas earlier in the inning.
Unlike during the regular season, there is no automatic runner placed at second base to begin extra innings in the postseason.
It was the Mariners’ second consecutive postseason loss at home that went extra innings. They were beaten 1-0 by Houston in 18 innings on Oct. 15, 2022.
Will Vest worked two perfect innings for the win, and Keider Montero got three outs for his first major league save. Montero extended the scoreless start to his postseason career and put the finishing touches on seven innings of one-run ball by Detroit’s bullpen.
The Mariners struck first, thanks to a solo homer by Julio Rodríguez in the fourth inning. Rodríguez, fresh off his second season with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, launched an elevated four-seam fastball from rookie Troy Melton, who was making just his fifth career start.
Seattle’s lead didn’t last long, though. Carpenter capitalized on an elevated fastball from right-hander George Kirby in a two-strike count, depositing it into the right-field seats to give the Tigers a 2-1 advantage.
Left-handed reliever Gabe Speier was warming up in the Seattle bullpen, but manager Dan Wilson elected to have Kirby face the left-handed-hitting Carpenter.
“We thought George continued to throw the ball pretty well there and still had pretty good stuff and a lot left in the tank,” Wilson said, “and he had been in a couple of tough spots earlier, but really pitched out of it well. And, like I said, (Carpenter) was able to get to the one up in the zone.”
It was the fifth career homer for Carpenter off Kirby, making him the fourth player in major league history with five or more hits off a particular pitcher — and all of them home runs. It also was the second career postseason homer for Carpenter, who set a career high with 26 during the regular season.
“I tend to see him well," Carpenter said. "He’s so good, though. He has great stuff, and in the first inning he was really good. So yeah, I’m pretty confident against anybody I go against. I was seeing him well tonight, especially after that first at-bat.”
Kirby was otherwise sharp in his second postseason start, striking out five across five innings.
Rodríguez ensured the Mariners did not go down easily, poking an RBI single to right in the sixth that tied it at 2.
Seattle closer Andrés Muñoz worked two scoreless innings, the first time he had done so since he was a rookie in 2019 with San Diego.
The Mariners didn’t get hits from any players besides Rodríguez and AL MVP contender Cal Raleigh, who chipped in three singles for his third career three-hit game in the postseason.
“All of our bullpen guys, including Troy, even though Troy started, it was a job well done in an environment where the fans were looking to help them get anything started,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “We would squash the rally every time.”
Mariners RHP Luis Castillo is expected to start against Skubal in Game 2. Castillo is 1-2 with a 1.83 ERA in 19 2/3 postseason innings with 19 strikeouts. Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, pitched 7 2/3 innings of one-run ball in the Wild Card Series opener against Cleveland. He has a 2.03 ERA in four postseason appearances.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh reacts after popping out to Detroit Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry during the 11th inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez reacts after the team's loss in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene, right, and second baseman Gleyber Torres celebrate after the team's win in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Detroit Tigers' Kerry Carpenter reacts after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Detroit Tigers' Spencer Torkelson runs home to score the go-ahead run off of a single hit by Zach McKinstry during the 11th inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Detroit Tigers' Zach McKinstry hits a single to score Spencer Torkelson for the go-ahead run during the 11th inning in Game 1 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
McLaren driver Lando Norris held his nerve but could not hold back the tears after clinching his first Formula 1 title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
Red Bull driver and defending champion Max Verstappen won the race with Norris placing third behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri in second, which allowed Norris to finish two points ahead of Verstappen in the season-long standings.
“It's incredible. It is pretty surreal. I've dreamed of this for a long, long time,” said the 26-year-old Norris, who started his F1 career as a test and reserve driver with McLaren. "I feel like I did my part for the team this year and I'm very proud of myself for that. I’m even more proud for everyone who I hopefully made cry.”
Norris became Britain's 11th F1 champion, a racing journey that began with kart racing when he was eight years old. The first of his 11 F1 race wins came last year, when he finished second overall in the standings.
Piastri was also in contention for his first F1 title and finished third in the standings, 13 points behind Norris, who ended the season with seven wins and 423 points.
Norris became the first British champion since Lewis Hamilton won his record-equaling seventh title in 2020, and also denied Verstappen a fifth straight title.
“Oh God. I’ve not cried in a while. It’s a long journey. First of all, I want to say a big thanks to my guys, my parents," Norris said a few minutes after the race. “I now know what Max feels like a little bit. I want to congratulate him and Oscar, too."
Norris entered the three-way battle 12 points ahead of Verstappen and 16 ahead of Piastri, who also won seven races but none since the Dutch GP on Aug. 31.
Verstappen started from pole position with Norris on the front row beside him and Piastri third on the grid. The Dutchman needed Norris to be fourth or lower and Norris had to finish outside the top five if Piastri won.
Verstappen's astounding late-season charge came close to unseating both McLaren drivers after they had shared the lead throughout the season and then were undone by driver and team-strategy errors.
Verstappen’s title chances were dramatically improved with two races to go after Norris and Piastri were disqualified in Las Vegas.
But even Verstappen's season-leading eighth win and 71st of his career could not stop Norris, who kept his composure on Sunday, having been under severe pressure in recent weeks.
“Oscar and Lando have been awesome all year,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown told broadcaster Sky. “This Max guy is pretty hard to beat.”
The McLaren motorhome erupted with joy when Norris clinched it and Brown congratulated Norris on the team radio in his usual jovial manner.
“Lando, this is Zak from McLaren. Is this the world champion hotline? You did it! You did it! Awesome," Brown said.
Norris didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He did both.
“Oh my God, thanks so much. I love you guys. Thanks for everything,” Norris said and then broke down in tears.
After crossing the line, Norris stayed in his car for a few moments, visibly emotional. His parents were on the side of the track and he went over to hug them before celebrating with his McLaren engineers and mechanics.
Piastri was looking to become the first Australian champion since Alan Jones in 1980, but his failure to win a race after Zandvoort cost him.
“When things have been good this year, I've felt unstoppable,” Piastri said. “Ultimately, I've learnt a lot about myself. I think that will only help me going forward.”
Norris praised Piastri, saying “at some point he will get the better of me, as he is an incredible driver.”
Pole position was crucial on the 58-lap circuit in Abu Dhabi, where overtaking is hard, and so it proved again as Verstappen joined the long list of race winners from pole since 2015.
Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari ahead of George Russell (Mercedes) and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) in sixth.
Verstappen made a clean start with Piastri overtaking Norris, while the slick Leclerc was soon behind Norris.
Norris changed tires on Lap 17 but was caught behind some traffic and had Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda ahead of him in third spot, which in turn allowed Leclerc to close on Norris.
Norris overtook Tsunoda on Lap 23 but went very wide and off track limits. Race stewards gave Tsunoda a 5-second time penalty for zig-zagging in front of Norris, who was cleared.
Tsunoda reacted angrily when informed he had moved more than once in front of Norris when defending his position.
Norris pitted again on Lap 41, with Verstappen overtaking Piastri moments later to take the lead. Piastri came in a lap later but Norris still held the cards because both McLarens had covered an eventual second tire change for Verstappen.
The main threat for Norris was Leclerc and he was about 4 seconds behind him with 10 laps left.
“Is Charles catching him or not?” Verstappen asked his race engineer.
Leclerc couldn't get closer, meaning Norris could coast to the title.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Formula 1: https://apnews.com/hub/formula-one
Race winner Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, center, poses on the podium with second placed McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, left, and third placed McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain smiles after becoming a world champion after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain celebrates after becoming a world champion after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain reacts after becoming a world champion after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain reacts after becoming a world champion after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain crosses the finish line to become the wprld champion during the Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (Andrej Isakovic, Pool via AP)
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain crosses the finish line to become the world champion during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain celebrates after becomin a rold champion after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car followed by McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car followed by McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, left, and McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, center, and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands attend the drivers parade ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia watches his team mate Lando Norris of Britain speak to media before the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, left, and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands talk before the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
