hawaiitribune_herald
In a thrilling finish at T-Mobile Park, Randy Arozarena delivered a walk-off double in the ninth inning to propel the Seattle Mariners to a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon. Arozarena, who also homered earlier in the game, scored three runs, including the game-winner, as the Mariners halted a three-game skid and secured only their third win in the last 11 contests.
The Twins had rallied from an early 3-0 deficit, with Luke Keaschall and Trevor Larnach both going deep. Minnesota, which had won seven of its previous nine, suffered just its third loss in the last ten outings.
The decisive sequence unfolded in the bottom of the ninth when Arozarena led off with a double down the left-field line off reliever Andrew Morris. After Dominic Canzone flied out to the warning track, the Twins intentionally walked Julio Rodriguez to set up a potential double play. Cal Raleigh then chopped a ball to first baseman Royce Lewis, who stepped on the bag but fumbled the transfer and opted to throw home. Arozarena slid around catcher Victor Caratini's tag to score the winning run.
Key Analysis
The Mariners' offensive resurgence was notable, as they scored two runs in the first inning for the second consecutive day, a feat they had not accomplished in their previous 30 games since June 24. Cole Young started the rally with a double, and Rodriguez's infield single brought in the first run. Starter Connor Prielipp struggled with control, needing 35 pitches in the first frame. Arozarena's two-out homer in the second extended the lead to 3-0.
Meanwhile, the Twins' comeback began in the fifth when Keaschall launched a solo shot off starter Logan Gilbert. Closer Andres Munoz earned the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings, improving to 4-4.
Originally reported by hawaiitribune_herald.