Randy Arozarena's walk-off single sealed a 6-5 Mariners win over the Royals on July 1, 2025. Arozarena's two homers led Seattle in a dramatic comeback.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it seemed the magic might run out, Randy Arozarena decided to create his own. In a heart-pounding, back-and-forth affair against the Kansas City Royals, Arozarena played the hero not once, but twice, capping an unforgettable night with a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to seal a dramatic 6-5 victory for the Mariners.
I just wanted to put the ball in play and help the team win. The energy in the stadium was incredible.
It was the best of Randy Arozarena, and it was exactly what Seattle needed. The dynamic outfielder was a one-man wrecking crew, going 2-for-4 with two homers and four RBIs. He single-handedly erased a late deficit with a towering solo shot in the eighth to tie the game at 5-5. Then, with the bases loaded and the crowd on its feet in the ninth, he laced a single into the outfield, sending Julio Rodríguez home and the ballpark into a frenzy. The performance boosted his season totals to 17 home runs and 52 RBIs, reminding everyone of the game-changing talent the Mariners acquired.
While Arozarena's bat provided the fireworks, the pitching staff did just enough to keep the team in the game. Starter Emerson Hancock grinded through 5 innings, giving up four runs but managing to strike out six Royals. From there, the bullpen took over. The high-leverage trio of Matt Brash, Tayler Saucedo, and Gregory Santos combined for four crucial innings, allowing just a single run and keeping the game within reach. Santos was rewarded for his clean ninth inning with his third win of the season.
The win underscored the contributions of the team's core, which received some well-deserved recognition today. MLB.com officially named Cal Raleigh the Mariners' first-half MVP, a fitting honor for the backstop who leads the team in fWAR and added his 18th homer of the season tonight. Meanwhile, Bryan Woo continues his historic run of consistency, with his 16 consecutive starts of at least six innings drawing comparisons to the legendary Randy Johnson. Woo's quiet dominance has been a bedrock for the rotation all year.
While the big-league club celebrated a walk-off, top prospect Harry Ford was busy making his own noise down in Tacoma. The catcher extended his hitting streak to eight games, going 2-for-4 with a double. Ford is putting together a phenomenal season for the Rainiers, with his OPS now approaching .900. His slash line of .288/.395/.498, combined with 14 homers and praise for his improved defense, suggests he's not far from getting his own chance to create magic at T-Mobile Park.
Tonight's electrifying win was a perfect reminder of this team's resilience and star power. With contributions from heroes old and new, and with talent like Harry Ford waiting in the wings, the Mariners are building momentum as the trade deadline inches closer. While no moves were made today, a victory like this is a powerful statement in itself. All eyes now turn to see if they can carry this energy into the rest of the series.
