Arozarena’s dual home runs seal Mariners win as Anderson navigates debut
Seattle’s victory over Chicago was defined by a historic offensive performance from Randy Arozarena and a mixed start for rookie pitcher Kade Anderson.
The Seattle Mariners secured a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, a result driven by a historic offensive display from Randy Arozarena. Arozarena opened the game with a leadoff home run in the first inning and closed it with a two-run walk-off homer in the ninth, becoming the seventh player in Major League Baseball history to record both feats in a single contest.
The game’s trajectory shifted significantly in the sixth inning, where the Cubs mounted a three-run rally to take the lead. Prior to that surge, Seattle had held the advantage twice, first through Arozarena’s initial home run and later via an RBI groundout by Dominic Canzone in the fifth. The Mariners trailed 4-2 entering the final frame before Leo Rivas reduced the deficit with a two-out RBI single, setting the stage for Arozarena to take Cubs closer Jacob Webb deep to straightaway centre.
On the mound, rookie Kade Anderson made his highly anticipated Major League debut. The 22-year-old, selected third overall in the 2025 draft, became the first player from his draft class to reach the big leagues. Anderson allowed three earned runs over 5⅔ innings, throwing 81 pitches and striking out five batters.
Anderson’s performance was inconsistent, as he navigated his first five innings relatively smoothly before surrendering two solo home runs in the sixth. Despite the late struggles, the outing marked a significant milestone for a pitcher who entered the evening as one of the sport’s top prospects.
The win improved the Mariners’ standing to 3½ games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West and placed them two games back for the final wild-card spot. Conversely, the Cubs, now 74-56, saw their lead in the National League wild card race drop to 4.5 games.
Mariners reliever Michael Rucker earned his first win of the season, while utilityman Brendan Donovan was a late scratch after being struck in the head by a baseball in the batting cages. Weston Wilson started at third base in Donovan’s absence.
