Chase DeLauter’s 10th-Inning Heroics Lead Guardians to Thrilling 6-5 Victory Over Mariners
SEATTLE — In a nail-biting showdown at T-Mobile Park, rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter cemented his rising star status with a game-winning home run in the 10th inning, propelling the Cleveland Guardians to a 6-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.
DeLauter’s moment of glory came on a high fastball from Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz, which he sent soaring over the left-field wall for a two-run shot. The clutch hit gave Cleveland a 6-3 lead, ultimately securing the win despite a late rally from Seattle.
The 22-year-old phenom has been nothing short of sensational in his early career. Just one day earlier, he became the fifth player in the Guardians’ 126-year history to homer in his first regular-season at-bat. With Friday’s blast, DeLauter joined an elite club, becoming only the third player in Major League Baseball history to homer in each of his first three games. He stands alongside Seattle’s Kyle Lewis (2019) and Colorado’s Trevor Story (2016), who achieved the feat in four consecutive games.
“It’s surreal,” DeLauter said after the game. “I’m just trying to take it all in and help the team win in any way I can.”
The Mariners didn’t go down without a fight. Julio Rodríguez delivered a gritty two-out, two-strike RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 3-3, forcing extra innings. Luke Raley kept the pressure on with a two-run homer in the 10th, his third consecutive game with a home run. But Cleveland’s bullpen held firm, with Connor Brogdon striking out Leo Rivas and Cole Young to end the game and earn his first save of the season.
Mariners starter Bryan Woo turned in a strong performance, tossing five scoreless innings before Cleveland broke through in the sixth. José Ramírez kicked off the rally with an RBI double, and Kyle Manzardo followed up with a run-scoring single. Ramírez’s double was a milestone moment, making him just the third player in franchise history to notch 400 doubles, joining legends Tris Speaker and Nap Lajoie.
Woo finished his outing with six innings pitched, allowing two runs and striking out nine. Despite the loss, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh ended an early-season slump with an RBI single in the first inning, marking his first hit of the year after striking out in his first eight at-bats.
The Guardians now look to close out their four-game series against the Mariners on a high note. Slade Cecconi is set to take the mound for Cleveland, while Seattle will counter with Emerson Hancock. Both pitchers will be making their season debuts, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.
DeLauter’s electrifying start has brought renewed energy to the Guardians’ lineup, and fans are eager to see how the young slugger will continue to shine. For now, his heroics in Seattle have etched his name into the record books and given Cleveland a thrilling victory to savor.
— Reported by Nexio News
