Mariners beat Tigers 8-4 on July 13, 2025, as Polanco & Young hit back-to-back 9th-inning HRs to sweep. See how Seattle stunned MLB's best team.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the first half couldn't get any more exciting, the Seattle Mariners saved the best for last. In a stunning display of power and grit, the M's broke a 4-4 tie in the ninth inning with back-to-back home runs, securing an 8-4 victory and completing a three-game sweep of the MLB-leading Detroit Tigers. Seattle heads into the All-Star break on the highest of notes, having put the entire league on notice.
Cal Raleigh enters the All-Star break with 38 home runs, a new American League record for homers before the break and just one shy of Barry Bonds’ all-time MLB record.
The atmosphere was electric heading into the final frame, with the game knotted at four. That's when Jorge Polanco stepped up and blasted a go-ahead homer, only to be immediately followed by a towering shot from Cole Young. The back-to-back jacks blew the game wide open, capping a four-run inning and a wild series that saw Seattle plate a staggering 35 runs. The long ball was the story all day, with Julio Rodriguez, Randy Arozarena, and Mitch Garver also going deep. Matt Brash sealed the deal, earning the win with a dominant, two-strikeout performance in the eighth.
While he went 0-for-2 on Sunday, Cal Raleigh's presence loomed large over the entire series. He enters the break with a jaw-dropping 38 home runs, a new American League record for homers before the midsummer classic, putting him just one shy of Barry Bonds' 2001 MLB record. As if that wasn't enough, 'Big Dumper' also swiped his 10th base of the season, joining an elite club with Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson, and Ken Griffey Jr. as the only players to hit 38+ homers with 10+ steals in their team's first 96 games. He's a true superstar in the making.
The team's incredible performance is getting the recognition it deserves. For the first time since the magical 2003 season, the Mariners are sending a formidable contingent of five players to the All-Star Game. In a delicious bit of irony, the Tigers team they just dismantled is sending a franchise-record six players, a fact that makes this weekend's dominant sweep feel even sweeter and underscores the elite level at which Seattle is competing.
The good news keeps rolling in, even off the field. The All-Star break will provide crucial healing time, with several key players nearing a return. Pitcher Bryce Miller is set to throw his first live batting practice session, a huge step in his recovery from an elbow issue. Outfielder Victor Robles (shoulder) has started strength-building, while Ryan Bliss (biceps) continues to rehab. Best of all, reliever Collin Snider has officially begun a minor-league rehab assignment, meaning reinforcements for the bullpen are on the way for the second-half push.
As broadcaster Dan Wilson noted postgame, this team's resilience is off the charts. The Mariners aren't just winning; they're making statements. As five of Seattle's finest head to the All-Star Game, fans can rest easy knowing this team is battle-tested, powerful, and poised for a thrilling second half. The best, it seems, is yet to come.
