Dominic Canzone's heroic 9th-inning homer wasn't enough as the Mariners fell 8-4 to the Diamondbacks on June 10 after a walk-off grand slam by Josh Naylor.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it seemed like the Mariners had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, the pendulum swung back with brutal force. Last night's 8-4 loss in 11 innings was a gut punch, but the brightest silver lining came from the bat of Dominic Canzone, whose heroic return to the majors provided a moment of pure electricity in an otherwise frustrating stretch for Seattle.
A game-tying, 450-foot two-run homer in his first game back from the minors.
Called up from Triple-A Tacoma just yesterday, outfielder Dominic Canzone wasted no time making his presence felt. Stepping to the plate in the top of the ninth with the team's hopes fading, Canzone launched a colossal 450-foot, two-run homer to right field, tying the game and sending the Mariners' dugout into a frenzy. It was his first big-league home run of the season, a powerful statement that he's here to contribute immediately.
The euphoria from Canzone's blast was short-lived. The game spiraled out of control in the 11th inning, culminating in a walk-off grand slam by Arizona's Josh Naylor. The inning highlighted the team's offensive predicaments; opponents are so wary of Cal Raleigh's power that the Diamondbacks intentionally walked him to load the bases, daring the rest of the lineup to come through—a challenge that ultimately went unanswered before Arizona's decisive blow.
The loss marks the Mariners' 11th in their last 15 games, dropping their record to a precarious 33-32. This slump has been painful to watch, but there's a strange dichotomy at play. The team still boasts an impressive 7-3-0 road series record this season. They have a proven ability to win series away from T-Mobile Park, a fact they'll need to lean on as they try to avoid losing this one.
Tonight offers a clean slate and a chance to stop the bleeding. The Mariners will send the reliable Bryan Woo (5-3, 3.07 ERA) to the mound to face Brandon Pfaadt (7-4, 5.51 ERA). On paper, it's a favorable matchup for Seattle. A win tonight not only evens the series but could be the catalyst needed to shake off this slump and get the team back to its winning ways.
