A.J. Hinch ripped for pulling Tarik Skubal, pitching Tommy Kahnle in Tigers-Mariners Game 5
Here are reactions from the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners during an epic do-or-die Game 5 in the ALDS of the 2025 MLB Playoffs.
The Mariners outlasted the Tigers in 15 innings, 3-2, when Jorge Polanco hit a one-out, loaded single against Tommy Kahnle, who had just entered the game after Tigers pitchers held the Mariners scoreless starting in the eighth inning.
Fans and media reacted to the game with posts about
The Mariners will now face the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS, with the first game scheduled for Sunday in Toronto.
Here are the reactions during Game 5 of Tigers-Mariners.
AJ Hinch ripped as reactions fly from Tigers against Mariners
AJ Hinch sending Kahnle out there is the stupidest move in baseball history
– DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) October 11, 2025
As soon as Kahnle arrived, I knew it was over. Good night to everyone except the middle of our lineup who went to 0-fer, AJ Hinch and our cheap front office people. I hate baseball.
– Brianne Barnes (@brannembarnes) October 11, 2025
I don’t understand why Parker Meadows and Colt Keith were allowed to go a combined 0-14 tonight with Wenceel and Jahmai on the bench.
-Greg Waddell (@gwizzy12) October 11, 2025
See Tommy Kahnle enter in the 15th inning pic.twitter.com/5zjubO8TiQ
– Detroit Tigers Memes (@TheRyanBlevins) October 11, 2025
Say what you want about Tommy Kahnle.
Say what you want about Tarik Skubal’s retirement.
Riley Greene: 0 of 6
Spencer Torkelson: 0 out of 6
Gleyber Torres: 0 out of 6
Colt Keith: 0 out of 5
Parker Meadows: 0 out of 5
In 15 innings, the Tigers scored on 1 hit. Eight hits and 17 strikeouts.-Derick Hutchinson (@Derick_Hutch) October 11, 2025
Hinch went 0 Pinch Hitters and handed the game to Kahnle 💔 pic.twitter.com/EQcLbgrSIZ
-Zayaan (@ZayTurner24) October 11, 2025
Not on Kahnle.
They are Meadows, Torkelson, Gleyber, Greene and Keith. A combined zero.
Scott Harris for failing to meet deadline.
AJ Hinch for not putting Jones and Ibanez.
Our useless punching stick.
And Ilyich.– Justin Scott (@justinorin_94) October 11, 2025
How Tommy Kahnle feels after ending his team’s season two years in a row pic.twitter.com/qEb16f0tVU
– ZW45 (@cywheela) October 11, 2025
Good decision, AJ Hinch…let Tommy Kahnle, who has allowed 26 ER in 29 innings since 6/28, pitch in a clutch situation…
Almost as smart as retiring Skubal after retiring 14 straight batters.
Now fire the hitting coaches. Announce it at the press conference.-Sean Williams (@AMCScam) October 11, 2025
AJ Hinch really looked at Troy “guaranteed an HR while reliving” Melton and said to go save our season lol
– Matthew Vaughn (@Matthew38159082) October 11, 2025
I don’t know how AJ Hinch can justify using Meadows. Apart from speed, it provided minimal value.
– Justin (@tradeincoming) October 11, 2025
AJ Hinch knocks out Skubal amid all-time dominance to play bullpen roulette
Doesn’t that bring Holton in for the southpaw Naylor???
He tries to force Seattle’s hand at 7th, but Dan Wilson has the last laugh with a double-hitter.
Brutal
pic.twitter.com/SqzVL0Henh– Jim Costa (@JimCosta_) October 11, 2025
Thank goodness AJ Hinch struck out Skubal on 99 pitches. Should be good for spring training 2026
–Johnny (@JohnnyGiunta_) October 11, 2025
I will never forgive AJ Hinch if the Tigers lose this game. The best pitcher in the world and you don’t let him throw 100 pitches in the most important game of the year. #MLBPlayoffs#repdetroit#tigers
— State of MichiganMan (@stateofMIman) October 11, 2025
Aaron Boone: I’m the worst manager in the AL playoffs
And I say: pic.twitter.com/WtTPl8280G– John (@iam_johnw) October 11, 2025
AJ Hinch has done it again pic.twitter.com/rn35rExkAD
— Dr. Grizzo (PhD, MD, BA, MBA, 7’4 240 IQ) (@mrgrozz) October 11, 2025
AJ Hinch just didn’t want to let Tarik Skubal cook.
He picked Kyle Finnegan and Tyler Holton as the best pitcher in the entire league. https://t.co/n0D7hHRZ9dpic.twitter.com/spdmSbl0fd–Scott Reichel (@ReichelRadio) October 11, 2025
Draw, 2-2.
Kyle Finnegan ran into trouble and Tyler Holton couldn’t save him with two outs in the seventh inning. RBI single for pinch hitter Leo Rivas. #Tigers-Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) October 11, 2025
Hinch not pulling Skubal wasn’t the problem this round. It wasn’t about bringing Holton in to face Naylor.
– BS82 (@bschut) October 11, 2025
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers vs. Mariners reactions start with AJ Hinch ripped for moves
