Julio Rodríguez, Randy Arozarena, and Jorge Polanco each hit home runs, and rookie Logan Evans delivered a solid start as the Seattle Mariners secured a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. The win opened a four-game series as the Mariners continued strengthening their position in the American League playoff race.
Seattle entered the game as slight favorites with moneyline odds around -115, while the Angels were listed at approximately -105. The projected run total was 8.5, with the final score falling just below that line.
Rodríguez contributed in multiple ways, hitting a solo home run in the third inning and stealing third base in the first. The 24-year-old outfielder reached a milestone with his 15th home run and 20th stolen base of the season, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to record at least 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases in each of his first four seasons.
Seattle added to its lead in the fifth inning when Arozarena connected for a two-run homer off Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi. The shot extended the Mariners’ lead to 3-1. Polanco added an insurance run with a solo homer later in the game, helping Seattle maintain control.
Evans improved to 4-3 with the win, allowing just one run on three hits over five innings. The 24-year-old right-hander struck out three and walked three in his eighth major league start. The Mariners’ bullpen held the Angels scoreless for the remainder of the game, with Andrés Muñoz recording his 23rd save of the season by retiring the side in the ninth inning.
The Angels opened the scoring in the first inning. Mike Trout led off with a double and came around to score on a single from Nolan Schanuel. Kikuchi, who took the loss and fell to 4-7, allowed three earned runs on six hits across five innings. He struck out five and walked two in his 19th start of the season.
Los Angeles narrowed the deficit in the seventh inning with an RBI single from Zach Neto, but the Angels could not capitalize further. They loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, as Trout drew a four-pitch walk. However, Schanuel lined out to end the game, stranding the tying runs.
The game also marked a notable development off the field for Seattle. The team acquired first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, signaling an effort to strengthen their offense heading into the final two months of the regular season.
Trout added to his record-setting totals against the Mariners, now holding the all-time lead in both total bases and runs scored versus Seattle with 437 and 146, respectively, surpassing previous records held by Rafael Palmeiro and Rickey Henderson.
The series continues Friday night. Seattle is scheduled to start right-hander Bryan Woo (8-5, 2.91 ERA), while Los Angeles will send right-hander José Soriano (7-7, 3.73 ERA) to the mound.