Julio Rodríguez walks off the Royals 4-3 on July 2! See how his hit and Cal Raleigh's 28th HR sealed a thrilling Mariners victory at T-Mobile Park.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a moment that sent T-Mobile Park into a frenzy, Julio Rodríguez slapped a line drive into the outfield, bringing J.P. Crawford racing home from second to seal a heart-pounding 4-3 walk-off victory over the Kansas City Royals. The electric finish on Wednesday night wasn't just a win; it was a statement, pushing the Mariners to 44-40 and solidifying their grip on second place in the AL West.
Cal Raleigh launched his MLB-leading 28th home run of the season, putting him on a historic pace to shatter records for both catchers and switch-hitters.
With the game knotted at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth, the stage was set for a hero. J.P. Crawford worked a crucial walk and advanced to second, bringing Julio Rodríguez to the plate. J-Rod, ever the showman, delivered a sharp single that ended the game and sent his teammates pouring out of the dugout. The celebration continued online, with Julio sharing a video of his teammates dousing him with water in the clubhouse. The win went to Andrés Muñoz, who was lights-out in a scoreless top of the ninth to keep the M's in it.
Before the late-game drama, the 'Big Dumper' provided the thunder. Cal Raleigh blasted his 28th home run of the season, a majestic shot that continues his incredible power surge. Leading all of Major League Baseball in homers, Raleigh isn't just on an All-Star trajectory; he's on a historic one. He's on pace for over 60 home runs, a number that would obliterate franchise records and put him in the conversation for the greatest power-hitting season by a catcher ever. The MVP chants are no longer a whisper; they're getting louder with every swing.
The win wouldn't have been possible without a gutsy performance from starter Logan Gilbert. The right-hander battled through 6.2 innings, striking out eight Royals while allowing three runs. He kept the Mariners in the game, handing the ball over to the bullpen with a chance to win. The defense also played a pivotal role, highlighted by a spectacular diving stop by Josh Rojas at third base in the seventh inning, a play that saved a run and kept the game tied.
While the big-league club was winning in dramatic fashion, the future was shining brightly down in Triple-A. Top pitching prospect Emerson Hancock delivered a masterpiece for the Tacoma Rainiers, tossing seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts and, impressively, zero walks in a 5-0 victory. On the offensive side, dynamic outfielder Jonatan Clase continued his excellent season, smashing his 12th home run. The pipeline is looking strong.
This was more than just another win in July. It was a jolt of energy, a reminder of this team's resilience and star power. With Julio delivering in the clutch, Cal making history, and the pitching staff holding strong, the Mariners carry massive momentum into the rest of their series with the Royals. As the team continues its push for the postseason, nights like these are the ones that build a champion's belief.
