Dominic Canzone's clutch 7th-inning single leads Mariners past Guardians 7-2 on June 14. See how Seattle snapped their skid and why Cal Raleigh is an MVP candidate.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Exhale, Mariners fans. After a frustrating skid, the Seattle Mariners are back in the win column and back to .500, thanks to a cathartic 7-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. In a game that felt like a must-win, it was Dominic Canzone who played the hero, delivering a go-ahead two-run single in a massive four-run seventh inning that blew the game wide open at T-Mobile Park.
Cal Raleigh entered the game with an MLB-leading 26 home runs, sparking early All-Star and even MVP conversations for his historic combination of power and defense.
For six innings, it was a tense, nail-biting affair with the Mariners and Guardians locked in a tight battle. George Kirby gave Seattle a solid start against Cleveland's Tanner Bibee, but the offense struggled to break through. That all changed in the bottom of the seventh. With the game on the line, Dominic Canzone stepped up and laced a two-run single that sent the home crowd into a frenzy and gave the M's a lead they would not relinquish. The hit opened the floodgates for a four-run rally that put the game out of reach. The bullpen was stellar in relief, with Eduard Bazardo shutting the door to secure the much-needed win and push the team's record to 34-34.
While Canzone had the hit of the night, the buzz around Cal Raleigh continues to grow louder. The 'Big Dumper' entered the contest leading all of Major League Baseball with a staggering 26 home runs. His incredible power surge, combined with his elite defense behind the plate, isn't just leading the team—it's putting him on a historic pace. The national media is taking notice, and what started as whispers has grown into legitimate All-Star and even dark-horse MVP chatter. He is the engine of this offense and the anchor of the team.
More good news arrived before the game even started. Opening Day starter Logan Gilbert threw a bullpen session and appears to be on the cusp of returning from the injured list, potentially as soon as Monday. His presence has been deeply missed in the rotation. The Mariners also tweaked their bullpen, selecting right-hander Zach Pop from Triple-A Tacoma. Pop, who posted a 3.52 ERA in Tacoma, brings a fresh arm to the relief corps. To make room, promising rookie Logan Evans was optioned back to Triple-A to continue his development as a starter.
The future continues to look bright down on the farm. The organization's No. 2 prospect, Lazaro Montes, launched his 14th home run of the season for the High-A Everett AquaSox. The young outfielder's prodigious power is turning heads throughout minor league baseball, giving Mariners fans a glimpse of a potential middle-of-the-order force for years to come.
Getting back to .500 feels good, but now the real work begins. With Logan Gilbert's return on the horizon and the offense showing signs of life, the Mariners have a chance to build some serious momentum. All eyes will be on the next game to see if this win was a turning point or just a temporary reprieve. For one night, at least, the vibes are good in the Emerald City.
