Julio Rodriguez Went Deep Twice and It Still Wasn't Enough: Royals Walk Out of T-Mobile Park With the Win

This one stings. The Mariners had their chances, built momentum off a six-game winning streak, and brought the thunder at the plate. But Kansas City found a way to break through in the eighth inning, and now Seattle is staring at an 0-1 hole in this three-game series.

Lane Thomas delivered the dagger. With one out in the eighth and the game tied 6-all, the Royals pinch hitter ripped a run-scoring single to right-center off Mariners reliever Jose A. Ferrer, giving Kansas City a 7-6 victory. That's it. One swing. Series opener, gone.

Julio Went Nuclear (But It Wasn't Enough)

Look, Rodriguez did his job. The guy absolutely crushed two solo homers into the second deck in left and straightaway center. That's the kind of performance that wins ballgames most nights. He went deep in the second inning to cut an early 4-0 deficit down to 4-3. Then again in the seventh with two outs to tie things up at 6-all. That's clutch at-bats. That's what you want from your centerfielder.

But Julio wasn't alone in going yard. Connor Joe launched one to left in the fifth for a solo shot, and Randy Arozarena went deep to right in the sixth. So Seattle had three home runs on the board. Three. And still couldn't finish the job.

Early Chaos Set the Tone

The Royals came out swinging. Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr., and Vinnie Pasquantino opened the game with consecutive singles, with Pasquantino driving in the opening run. Salvador Perez followed with a two-run double to right, making it 3-0 before most fans had finished their first beer. With two outs, Isaac Collins doubled off the glove of third baseman Leo Rivas to score Perez and make it 4-0.

Bryan Woo, the Mariners' starter, got shelled in that first inning, allowing four runs on four hits, including three homers. He settled down after that, retiring 13 straight batters before giving up the solo shots in the sixth. Still, six innings and six runs allowed. Not the kind of outing that stops a team cold.

The Royals' Cole Ragans wasn't much better. The lefty went 5 and a third, gave up four runs on four hits, struck out eight, but walked three. This was a slugfest, and both teams' arms were leaking runs all over the yard.

What's Next

Seattle had won six of seven coming in. One loss doesn't derail that momentum, but dropping the opener to a Royals squad that's just 4-16 on the road this season? That's the kind of gut punch that stings. The Mariners get another shot Saturday to even this series and prove Friday night was just one of those games.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.