Miles Mastrobuoni's heroics lead the Mariners to a 7-6 win over the Rangers in 12 innings on June 28. Read how his clutch catch and hit sealed the classic.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought you'd seen it all, the Seattle Mariners find a new way to put us through the emotional wringer. In a back-and-forth, 12-inning marathon at Globe Life Field, the M's clawed their way to a 7-6 victory over the Texas Rangers, and they did it on the back of the most unlikely hero. Forget the stars for a second; Saturday night belonged to Miles Mastrobuoni.
A game-winning hit in the 12th. A game-saving catch in the 11th. Miles Mastrobuoni just had the game of his life.
Let's set the scene. Bottom of the 11th, bases loaded, two outs, and the game on the line. A fly ball sails into shallow right, looking like a walk-off blooper. But out of nowhere comes Mastrobuoni, sprinting and stretching for a spectacular, over-the-shoulder catch to save the game. As if that wasn't enough, he stepped to the plate in the top of the 12th with two outs and delivered the biggest hit of the night—a sharp single to score Randy Arozarena and give the Mariners the lead for good. It was a legendary two-way performance that will be talked about for weeks.
While Mastrobuoni provided the late-game fireworks, the M's wouldn't have even been in that position without the relentless pressure applied by the top of the lineup. J.P. Crawford and Julio Rodríguez were simply on fire, acting as the perfect one-two punch. Both superstars collected three hits and scored two runs apiece, consistently sparking rallies and keeping the Rangers' pitching staff on their heels. This is the version of the M's offense we need to see day in and day out if they're going to make a serious second-half push.
On the mound, it was a tale of two halves. Bryan Woo continued his excellent season, giving the team a strong start by holding the potent Rangers lineup to just one run through five solid innings. He handed a 5-1 lead to the bullpen, which wobbled a bit in the middle innings but locked it down when it mattered most. Out of seven pitchers used, it was Eduard Bazardo who emerged as the rock in extras. He tossed two scoreless, high-leverage innings in the 11th and 12th to earn his third win of the season, calmly shutting the door after Mastrobuoni's heroics.
This wasn't just another win; it was a statement. At the 81-game midpoint, the Mariners are 42-39, bruised but not broken, and still very much in the hunt. A gritty, character-building victory like this can be a turning point. They showed resilience after blowing an early lead and found a way to win on the road against a division rival. Now, they need to bottle this energy and carry it into the second half. The Astros are still 6.5 games ahead, but with performances like this, anything feels possible.
