Mariners win 4-3 as Julio Rodriguez delivers first career walk-off hit

Logan Gilbert is outstanding for the Seattle Mariners, on a night when there was little offense until an explosive 10th inning.

The Seattle Mariners have been in this situation far too many times in recent seasons — a tepid offensive display which could potentially ruin outstanding pitching. Heck, they were in this same scenario just a night earlier, but managed to hang on for a 1-0 win and tie their four-game series with the Boston Red Sox.

The Mariners had taken an early lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a RBI single by Mitch Haniger, his second since returning to Seattle. However, the lineup just couldn’t build on this, and the Red Sox tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fifth, courtesy of a groundout by Pablo Reyes which brought Ceddanne Rafaela home.

Meanwhile, Logan Gilbert was pitching lights out in his first start of the 2024 campaign. He allowed just four hits, a walk and one earned run in 7.0 innings, while also striking out eight batters.

Mariners manager Scott Servais was full of praise for Gibert’s outing post game. Speaking to the media, he said:

“Heck of a job by Logan tonight. Really mixed speeds on his off-speed pitches. A bit slower slider, the harder slider, the cutter was all very effective tonight and I thought he was just awesome out there.”

As for Gilbert himself, he offered some insight into his approach on the night. Also speaking to the media, he said:

“Yeah I felt pretty good, I think I was getting ahead pretty well. Most of my pitches felt good, the slider felt good pretty much the whole game. I think that’s the main thing, just being on the attack there, trying not to let guys on base.”

Mariners lineup struggles again

Despite this, Gilbert was unable to record the win, as the Mariners continued to struggle offensively. And as the game proceeded to extra innings, there was a very real possibility Servais’ ballclub could lose.

This possibility seemed set to become a reality, as the Red Sox took a 3-1 lead in the top of the 10th. This looked set to become yet another example of the Mariners’ lineup letting the ballclub down and resulting in a loss.

Fortunately for the 32,149 in attendance at T-Mobile Park, the Mariners offense finally woke up in the bottom of the 10th. Luke Raley got the rally going with a RBI single, to score Ty France and pull the home side to within 3-2.

Raley would then score himself, as J.P. Crawford grounded into a fielder’s choice at second base. This tied the game at 3-3 and set the stage for Julio Rodríguez’s heroics.

Rodríguez had done nothing in his previous four at-bats, which included being struck out twice. However, when it mattered most, he delivered in the clutch with a walk-off single that won the game 4-3.

Rodríguez knew what the moment meant

It was the first walk-off hit of Rodríguez, something which he was well aware off. Speaking to the media postgame, he said:

Oh, I know, trust me. I feel like we all as a baseball player, we always want to come through in that situation for the team and just kind of send it off. It felt pretty good to be able to finally have my first one and be able to help the team in that situation right there.”

Servais is well aware of the special type of talent he has in Rodríguez. Speaking about the young budding superstar, he said:

“He’s up there tonight with the game on the line and I thought he handled that whole situation as good as we’ve ever seen him handle it. And that’s what excites me about what’s ahead for Julio, because when he slows it down like that and makes the pitcher come to him. You know, good things are going to happen.”

In one respect, we have to make sure to give the Red Sox’ pitching staff the appropriate credit. Regardless, the Mariners lineup still has plenty of work to do, to make sure their production — or lack thereof — the past two games isn’t going to be a common occurrence in 2024.

Some offensive help is possibly on the way in the form of Mitch Garver. The Mariners’ offseason signing has missed the past two games with backs spasms, but Servais is hopeful he will return on Sunday.

With a 2-1 lead, the worst the Mariners can do is tie their opening series of the 2024 campaign. Of course they will be aiming for the series win in the finale versus the Red Sox, with Bryce Miller taking the ball on Sunday afternoon.

What impressed you most on Saturday night at T-Mobile Park? Do you predict the Mariners will finish the job and win the series in Sunday’s finale versus the Red Sox? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Photos in this article courtesy @Timontyrogersphotography