Randy Arozarena's walk-off single sealed a 2-1 Mariners win over the Twins on June 2, 2025! Cal Raleigh hit his 23rd HR. Full recap & stats.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a Sunday, Mariners fans! Just when it looked like the Twins might spoil a fantastic pitching duel, Randy Arozarena played hero, singling home Julio Rodriguez in the bottom of the ninth for a heart-stopping 2-1 victory. And can we talk about Cal Raleigh? The Big Dumper continues his tear, launching his MLB-leading 23rd homer!
Cal Raleigh is the first Mariners player with 10+ HRs in back-to-back months (10 in March/April, 12 in May) since Alex Rodriguez in 1999. He currently leads MLB with 23 home runs.
Sunday's game against the Twins was an absolute nail-biter. Luis Castillo was dealing, tossing six scoreless innings, but Twins starter Chris Paddack matched him with an impressive 10 strikeouts over eight frames. The game remained deadlocked until the late innings. Cal Raleigh broke the ice with his 23rd bomb of the season, reminding everyone why he's the most dangerous hitting catcher in baseball right now. The Twins managed to tie it in the top of the ninth off Andrés Muñoz when Harrison Bader delivered a sacrifice fly. But our M's weren't done. Julio Rodriguez sparked the rally with a single, swiped second, and then alertly took third on a throwing error by Ryan Jeffers. With one out, Randy Arozarena stepped up and delivered the decisive blow – a ground ball single straight up the middle to send the T-Mobile Park faithful home ecstatic. Muñoz (2-0) may have bent, but he didn't break, ultimately snagging the win.
Let's take a moment to appreciate what Cal Raleigh is doing. That solo shot wasn't just any home run; it was his major league-leading 23rd of the season! He's putting on a power display for the ages. In fact, Cal became the first Mariner with at least 10 home runs in multiple months (10 in March/April, 12 in May) since Nelson Cruz did it back in 2016. Even more impressively, he's the first Seattle player to achieve this in back-to-back months since a young Alex Rodriguez in 1999. We're witnessing something special from the Big Dumper, folks.
While the late-game heroics stole the headlines, we can't overlook Luis Castillo's stellar performance. 'La Piedra' was in fine form, blanking the Twins through six innings and giving the Mariners a fantastic chance to win. On the defensive side, rookie third baseman Ben Williamson made a crucial play that might get lost in the shuffle. In the third inning, with runners on the corners and two outs, Carlos Correa hit a tricky chopper. Williamson charged it aggressively, made the play, and ended the threat, keeping the game scoreless at that critical juncture. Plays like that don't always show up in the box score, but they're vital to winning tight ballgames.
After a well-deserved off day on Monday, the Mariners head back into action on Tuesday to kick off a three-game series against the formidable Baltimore Orioles. All eyes will be on right-hander George Kirby (0-2, 11.42 ERA) as he takes the mound. It's no secret Kirby has had a rough start to his 2025 campaign, and that ERA is certainly concerning. However, we know the talent is there. This start against a tough Orioles lineup will be a significant test and a huge opportunity for Kirby to find his rhythm and get back on track. The team will need him to channel his inner ace as they face a strong opponent.
What a way to cap off the series against the Twins! That electrifying win, powered by Raleigh's continued dominance and Arozarena's clutch hitting, gives the team some serious momentum. Now, let's rally behind George Kirby as he looks to turn things around in Baltimore. Go M's!
