In a thrilling display of talent and emotion, Julio Rodríguez delivered the most consequential swing of his young career on Sunday evening. As he stood on second base, the atmosphere at T-Mobile Park was electric, with 47,371 fans sharing in his exuberant celebration. Rodríguez, filled with joy, danced around the infield, pumping his fist in celebration and gesturing toward the home dugout as if he had taken flight. This moment marked a significant milestone for the Seattle Mariners, as they finally achieved liftoff in the postseason.
Rodríguez's impactful double came in the eighth inning, following Cal Raleigh's crucial hit that drove the Mariners to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the American League Division Series (ALDS). This victory was particularly special, as it represented the franchise's first home playoff win since October 15, 2001. The Mariners triumphed over reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, releasing decades of pent-up frustration from a long-suffering fan base. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Raleigh commented. “That’s a big relief for the guys, just to get that one out of the way.” With the best-of-five series now tied 1-1, the teams will head to Detroit for Game 3 on Tuesday.
In a standout performance, Jorge Polanco homered twice off Skubal, while Gabe Speier struck out Kerry Carpenter, the Tigers’ hero from Game 1, during a pivotal moment. These contributions set the stage for the late-game heroics by both Raleigh and Rodríguez. “That is the best baseball we can play, and it’s fun,” Rodríguez expressed. “I feel like everybody’s so engaged in the game, the fans, the team — I mean, everybody. That’s something that I really love about postseason baseball. And it was awesome.” The excitement was palpable, as Rodríguez recalled his childhood dreams of playing in such high-stakes games.
The previous night, the Tigers had rallied to win 3-2 in 11 innings, leaving Mariners fans anxious as Game 2 unfolded. Tensions ran high when the Tigers scored two runs in the top of the eighth inning, tying the game at 2-2. However, with one out in the bottom of the eighth, Raleigh ignited the crowd with a first-pitch double to right field. Rodríguez quickly followed, sending a double down the left-field line that drove in Raleigh for the go-ahead run. “After I hit it, I looked around a little bit. I could see everybody jumping around, and that made me feel really good. It was an awesome moment,” Rodríguez recalled.
Cal Raleigh has emerged as a key player for the Mariners this season, boasting impressive statistics with 60 homers and 125 RBIs. His performance has cemented his status as a potential MVP contender. On the other hand, Rodríguez's value has skyrocketed, particularly in the latter half of the season, following a lineup change that saw him batting third behind Raleigh. “He looks in control in the box,” Raleigh noted about Rodríguez. “He doesn’t look off-balance. He’s taking good pitches. He just looks confident, looks slow, looks balanced.”
After acknowledging the need for adjustments following Game 1, Raleigh emphasized the importance of staying true to oneself at the plate. “Stay within ourselves and just do your job really at the end of the day,” he advised, recognizing the pressure that comes with postseason play.
On the mound, Luis Castillo delivered a stellar performance, allowing only one hit and four walks in 4 2/3 scoreless innings. With a remarkable 1.49 ERA across four career playoff starts, Castillo has become a reliable presence for the Mariners during this critical time. The game’s turning point came with two outs in the fifth inning when Speier was called upon to face Carpenter, striking him out on just four pitches. “I’m confident in facing any lefty in the league and just attacking him like I would any other lefty,” Speier said, highlighting the energy from the crowd that fueled his performance.
The Mariners' victory in Game 2 sets the stage for an exciting continuation of the series. As they prepare to take on the Tigers in Detroit, the team is filled with hope and determination, seeking to capitalize on their momentum and bring home a playoff series win.
