Rob Refsnyder Crushes First-Pitch Leadoff Dinger and Ends the Nightmare Start

Rob Refsnyder was 0-for-18 to start his Mariners career. That streak lasted exactly one pitch on Sunday afternoon at T-Mobile Park.

The 35-year-old veteran jumped on the first offering from Texas left-hander MacKenzie Gore and launched a leadoff home run, snapping one of the most brutal early-season stretches in baseball. The Mariners rolled past the Rangers 5-2 to take the series, and Refsnyder finally got the monkey off his back in his first start since the birth of his third child.

Breaking Through After Going Dark

That 0-for-18 drought? It matched Minnesota's James Outman for the longest hitless streak to start the 2026 season. Refsnyder knew exactly how much it was weighing on him.

"You never want to be in a slump, especially early in the year, new team, new city," Refsnyder said. "So I've definitely been hard on myself, but I've had a lot of help."

As a veteran platoon guy, the cold spell stung even worse. A couple days sitting on the bench between starts gives you too much time to think about it. But here's the thing: Seattle signed Refsnyder over the winter specifically because he crushes left-handed pitching. Coming into Sunday, he had a .811 OPS with 22 homers in 810 career plate appearances against lefties. Against righties? Just a .631 OPS. Gore was supposed to be his pitch, and on Sunday, he didn't miss it.

The Support System That Kept Him Level

What made the turnaround even sweeter? Refsnyder credited his teammates and the team's mental performance coach, Adam Bernero, for keeping him grounded through the struggles. He even heard encouragement from Mariners fans during batting practice Sunday.

"Honestly, I'm human," Refsnyder said. "We hear a lot of things, so just to have the fans' support, it meant a lot. I've been some places and played in some good places where you get booed at home and things like that, and it definitely wears on you."

M's starter Bryan Woo saw how much the homer meant. "He's been an incredible guy to add to this team," Woo said. "He brings such a calming veteran presence. So for him to kind of break through a little bit there, I know he's been hard on himself, so that means a lot. Everybody was stoked to see that."

A New Dad Finding His Way

Refsnyder and his wife just welcomed their third child, a baby boy named Ryan, last week. He acknowledged the exhaustion of new fatherhood, but he wasn't complaining. After Sunday's game, he was planning to take his oldest son to Dave & Buster's for some arcade time. He joked with manager Dan Wilson that he'd probably have a "different personality" once the team hits the road and he can actually sleep in at the hotel.

This is Refsnyder's seventh team in an 11-year career. He spent four seasons with the Red Sox and three with the Yankees. Now he's finally showing the Emerald City why Seattle wanted him around.

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