Julio Rodriguez came through with a clutch RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning, helping the Seattle Mariners secure a 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night. Logan Gilbert, Seattle’s starting pitcher, put on a stellar performance, allowing only one run in seven innings.
The Red Sox took a 3-1 lead in the top of the 10th thanks to run-scoring singles by Pablo Reyes and Masataka Yoshida. However, the Mariners quickly responded as Luke Raley drove in Ty France from second base in the bottom half of the inning.
After Josh Rojas hit a single to right-center, the ball got past Boston’s right fielder, allowing both Rojas and Raley to advance. J.P. Crawford then hit a ground ball to second baseman Enmanuel Valdez, who threw home. Raley managed to beat the tag at the plate, tying the game.
Finally, Rodriguez delivered a single to right-center off rookie Justin Slaten, scoring Rojas for the game-winning run. “It felt pretty good to be able to finally have my first one and to be able to help the team in that situation right there,” said Rodriguez after the game.
Taylor Saucedo got the win for Seattle, while Joely Rodriguez took the loss for Boston.
Both starting pitchers had strong outings, with Boston’s Kutter Crawford retiring 14 straight hitters after a shaky first inning and striking out seven over six innings. Gilbert allowed just one run and four hits while striking out eight over seven innings.
Manager Scott Servais praised Gilbert’s performance, stating, “Our pitching is giving us a chance, keeping us in there, much like they always have the past few years.”
Seattle scored first in the game when Mitch Haniger drove in J.P. Crawford with a single in the first inning. Gilbert held Boston scoreless until the fifth inning, when Ceddanne Rafaela scored on a groundout by Reyes.
Both teams’ relievers pitched well, with Gabe Speier and Austin Voth each throwing a scoreless inning for Seattle, and Isaiah Campbell, Chris Martin, and Greg Weissert doing the same for Boston.
It was a tight game with strong performances from both teams, but in the end, the Mariners came out on top with Rodriguez’s clutch hit.
