Rodríguez, Arozarena, Polanco Power Mariners to 4-2 Win Over Angels

Home runs from Julio Rodríguez, Randy Arozarena, and Jorge Polanco helped the Seattle Mariners top the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series.

Rodríguez set the tone early with a first-inning stolen base — his 20th of the season — and later launched his 15th home run off Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi. The 24-year-old became the first player in MLB history to record at least 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases in his first four seasons.

Arozarena added a two-run homer in the fifth, breaking a 1-1 tie and giving Seattle a 3-1 lead. Jorge Polanco capped the Mariners’ scoring with a solo blast in the seventh.

Rookie Logan Evans (4-3) picked up the win for Seattle, allowing one run on three hits over five innings with three walks and three strikeouts. Andrés Muñoz shut the door in the ninth, earning his 23rd season save after stranding the bases loaded.

Kikuchi (4-7) took the loss, giving up three earned runs across five innings.

Mike Trout doubled and scored in the first inning on a Nolan Schanuel single, while Zach Neto added an RBI single in the seventh to keep the Angels within striking distance. Trout also walked in the ninth to load the bases, but Schanuel lined out to end the game.

Key Moment:

With two outs and the bases loaded at the bottom of the ninth, the Angels’ first baseman, Nolan Schanuel, lined out to end the game, denying Los Angeles a potential comeback.

Key Stat:

Mike Trout continues to dominate against the Mariners historically. He now has 437 total bases and 146 runs scored versus Seattle — both records against the franchise, surpassing Rafael Palmeiro (435 TB) and Rickey Henderson (145 runs).

Up Next:

The series continues Friday night as Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (8-5, 2.91 ERA) takes the mound against Angels righty José Soriano (7-7, 3.73 ERA).