UPDATE: The Seattle Mariners have officially secured a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the AL Division Series after a dominant 6-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies on September 28, 2023. This triumph marks their 17th win in 18 games and comes just one day after clinching their first division title since 2001.
Eugenio Suárez led the charge, hitting his 49th home run of the season, matching his career high. His two-run homer in the second inning off Rockies pitcher Bradley Blalock was a pivotal moment, allowing Seattle to take an early lead they would never relinquish. Suárez also contributed a run-scoring single in the fifth, bringing his career-best RBI total to 117.
This victory was further solidified when the Cleveland Guardians lost to the Detroit Tigers earlier in the day, ensuring Seattle’s playoff position. The Mariners have now won 11 consecutive home games, tying a team record set during the summer of 2001.
Seattle’s Emerson Hancock delivered an impressive performance, pitching four scoreless innings and striking out seven batters. The Mariners’ bullpen maintained the momentum, with Caleb Ferguson navigating through the seventh inning without allowing a run.
As the Mariners continue their winning streak, slugger Cal Raleigh remains at 60 homers for the season, just two shy of tying the AL record held by Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. Fans at T-Mobile Park erupted with excitement as Raleigh stepped up, though many began to exit when he popped out in the eighth inning.
The Rockies, on the other hand, are struggling, dropping to a dismal 4-17 in September and achieving a league-high of 116 defeats this season—an unfortunate milestone reminiscent of the 1962 New York Mets.
With the postseason on the horizon, all eyes will be on the Mariners as they prepare for the AL Division Series. Their next game will be crucial in maintaining momentum and securing a favorable position going into the playoffs. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting to see if Seattle can continue their historic run.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Mariners aim for their first World Series title in franchise history.