Josh Naylor’s Clutch Double Leads Mariners to Victory over Cardinals
In a nail-biting game on Monday night, Josh Naylor proved to be the hero for the Seattle Mariners as he hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the sixth inning to secure a 4-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Naylor, who had already homered in his last two games, wasted no time in making his presence known. With the game tied at 2-2, he turned on a hanging curveball from Cardinals reliever Gordon Graceffo (3-1) and sent it flying for a two-run shot.
But Naylor’s contributions didn’t stop there. After Julio Rodríguez got the Mariners on the board with an RBI single, Naylor made a heads-up play and stole third base. This strategic move paid off as he was able to score with ease on a sacrifice fly from Jorge Polanco.
The Mariners’ victory was a team effort, with strong performances from both their offense and pitching. But it was Naylor’s clutch hit that ultimately sealed the deal and secured the win for Seattle.
With this win, the Mariners continue to climb up the standings and solidify their spot as a top contender in the league. And with players like Naylor stepping up in crucial moments, the future looks bright for this talented team.
Seattle Mariners Comeback to Beat St. Louis Cardinals 4-2
SEATTLE (AP) – In a thrilling game on Monday night, the Seattle Mariners came back from a two-run deficit to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2. The Mariners’ Josh Naylor played a crucial role in the victory, hitting a go-ahead, two-run double in the sixth inning.
Naylor, who had hit home runs in his last two games, capitalized on a hanging curveball from Cardinals reliever Gordon Graceffo (3-1) to give the Mariners the lead. Julio Rodríguez also contributed to the comeback with an RBI single. But it was Naylor’s heads-up play of stealing third base and scoring on a sacrifice fly from Jorge Polanco that sealed the win for the Mariners.
The Mariners’ offense came alive in the sixth inning, scoring four runs to erase the Cardinals’ early lead. St. Louis had taken a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning with a two-run home run by Alec Burleson, his 17th of the season. However, that was all the offense the Cardinals could muster against Mariners starter Bryan Woo (13-7) and the three relievers who closed out the game. Andrés Muñoz earned his 33rd save of the season.
Mariners second baseman Leo Rivas set the tone for the sixth inning with a nine-pitch walk off Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas. Randy Arozarena followed with a single, and Cal Raleigh walked on four pitches, setting the stage for Rodríguez and Naylor’s run-scoring hits.
The Mariners have been on a hot streak since the All-Star break, with a record of 17-6. This is the best record in the MLB in the second half of the season.
Cardinals and Mariners Face Off in Second Game of Series
The Cardinals will look to bounce back in the second game of the three-game series on Tuesday night. Left-hander Matthew Liberatore (7-11, 4.15 ERA) will take the mound for the Cardinals, while the Mariners will start right-hander George Kirby (8-7, 4.47). It’s sure to be another exciting game between these two teams.
