The Seattle Mariners pulled off a dramatic victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night, thanks to a late 3-run home run from rookie sensation Julio Rodriguez. The Mariners had been trailing 4-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, but Rodriguez’s blast off Royals closer Ian Kennedy gave them a 5-4 lead that they would not relinquish.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads throughout the night. The Royals took the early lead in the top of the first inning, scoring two runs off Mariners starter Yusei Kikuchi. But the Mariners battled back in the bottom of the second, with Kyle Seager and Austin Nola each driving in a run to tie the game at 2-2.
The Royals regained the lead in the top of the sixth, when Whit Merrifield drove in a run with a single to left field. But the Mariners refused to go away, and they tied the game again in the bottom of the eighth when Seager drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
That set up Rodriguez’s heroics in the bottom of the ninth. With two runners on base, Rodriguez stepped to the plate and delivered a towering shot over the left field wall to give the Mariners a dramatic 5-4 victory. It was Rodriguez’s fourth home run of the season, and it capped off an impressive comeback for Seattle.
The Mariners have now won four of their last five games, and they will look to keep their momentum going as they continue their series against the Royals on Wednesday night. With Rodriguez providing a spark at the plate, Seattle looks poised to make a run at the playoffs this season.
