SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – MARCH 27: Cole Young #2 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after his three-run home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park on March 27, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Maddy Grassy/Getty Images)
Maddy Grassy
Getty Images
SEATTLE
Cole Young fouled off strike one. He fouled off strike two.
But when the Mariners desperately needed the “big swing,” Seattle’s second baseman found the barrel.
For three-plus innings, the M’s offense went quietly. They mustered just one hit before Young stepped into the box with two outs in the fourth, trailing Cleveland 1-0 on a Friday night seemingly bound for frustration.
The 22-year-old Young flipped that script. He crushed the 0-2 four-seamer offered over the middle by Guardians starter Gavin Williams — a three-run home run cranked to right field after walks by Randy Arozarena and Dominic Canzone.
“Yesterday [Opening Day] felt like a blur,” Young said. “Running out of the tunnel, all of the stuff that comes with it.
“I think today felt like the first game. Like, let’s get to work.”
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – MARCH 27: Cole Young #2 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after his three-run home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park on March 27, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Maddy Grassy/Getty Images) Maddy Grassy Getty Images
Mariners right-hander George Kirby threw six stellar innings, outfielder Luke Raley added a two-run homer, and Seattle (1-1) beat Cleveland, 5-1, for their first win of the season at T-Mobile Park.
Cleveland promptly squandered their best chance to respond with one of more questionable tag-ups from third base you’ll ever see.
When the Guardians loaded the bases with one out in the fifth, Steven Kwan lifted a shallow fly ball to Arozarena in left field. Rhys Hoskins, the runner at third, had no business attempting to score on a sacrifice fly. But off he went.
Arozarena paused, almost baffled that Hoskins took off. A throw home beat the Guardians first baseman by a mile and catcher Cal Raleigh applied the tag, leaving red-hot Cleveland hitter Chase DeLauter in the on-deck circle.
Was Kirby expecting Hoskins, one of the league’s slower players, to tag from third?
Of course he wasn’t.
“No, not at all,” he said, smiling. “I don’t think Randy was, either.”
Nor were the 36,987 in attendance, but they certainly loved every second of it.
“That was awesome,” Kirby continued. “Awesome to get out of there.”
Kirby had uncharacteristically walked the first pair of Cleveland hitters in the fifth, then plunked Brayan Rocchio in the foot to load the bases. “Furious George” from years past might’ve let the moment spiral, but he passed Friday’s test with flying colors.
“It really speaks to the mental side for George,” manager Dan Wilson said before the game. “He’s got great stuff. He’s had great stuff. But I do think he’s taken steps forward. The maturation process has happened for him, just by being in the league and gaining experience.
“Seeing hitters, understanding hitters, and understanding what they’re trying to do, too. All of that plays a big part, and I think George has really done a nice job of putting that all to use.”
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – MARCH 27: George Kirby #68 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park on March 27, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Maddy Grassy/Getty Images) Maddy Grassy Getty Images
Kirby dotted edges with his four-seamer across six excellent frames, mixing quality curveballs and sliders. He surrendered two hits and one run, walking two and striking out six.
“I feel like with Cleveland, they’re usually pretty aggressive,” he said. “They’re good on being in the zone. It’s my job to throw quality strikes, hit the corners, and work from there.”
Raley crushed Guardians reliever Colin Holderman’s cutter over the middle for a two-run home run in the sixth.
They’ve already hit six homers, but the Mariners became the first team in the modern era (since 1900) without a single through their first two games of a season, per MLB. It’s how Seattle tends to win games, with dominant starting pitching and timely power.
The Mariners are the first team since at least 1900 without a single through their first two games of a season
BASE
BALL
9th team in span with 0 singles in ANY 2-game span, first since 2021 CHC
Ty @J_Kirshenbaum for the q!!
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 28, 2026
Raleigh went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, still searching for his first hit of 2026.
“He’s just missing some pitches,” Wilson said. “Again, what he’s done defensively for us has been outstanding. Helping our pitchers through the ballgame is what he does so well.
“He’s Cal. He’s gonna find it. … It’s just a matter of time.”
Cleveland’s DeLauter lifted a solo homer to right field in the first inning, already his third of the season, that prevented a shutout.
ROSTER MOVE
The Mariners placed right-handed reliever Carlos Vargas on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain, retroactive to March 24. Right-hander Cole Wilcox was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.
Vargas, 26, felt discomfort earlier this week and alerted trainers, manager Dan Wilson said. They’re still assessing the severity of the injury and will know more in the coming days.
“Obviously tough,” Wilson said. “Injuries are always tough. We’ll just hope for the best. Vargy is a big part of our bullpen down there. Getting a chance for Cole Wilcox now to be a part of it, who’s also come off a pretty good spring.”
Wilcox, 26, appeared in one game for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025 and was acquired by the Mariners in November in exchange for cash considerations. He made eight appearances (8.1 IP) for Seattle at spring training, allowing six hits and four runs with four walks and 11 strikeouts.
EMERSON BLASTS OPENING DAY HOMER WITH TRIPLE-A TACOMA
Colt Emerson keeps mashing.
Seattle’s top prospect launched a two-run homer on Opening Day for Triple-A Tacoma, driving a low curveball the opposite way in the third inning of Friday’s 7-6 win at Triple-A Reno. Statcast measured the blast at 408 feet.
The 20-year-old infielder is considered the No. 9 prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline. Emerson was reassigned to the Rainiers last week after a solid showing at spring training, but the Mariners are expected to promote their potential future cornerstone to the show in the coming months.
“The biggest thing is I finished (spring) healthy,” Emerson told The News Tribune on Wednesday. “Other than that, I can’t complain. I can’t wish for anything other than to break camp healthy and come to Tacoma with a good mindset, a positive mindset. Just be a winning ballplayer.”
The Rainiers return to Tacoma for their home opener with Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday night.
ON DECK
Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo, an All-Star in 2025, makes his first start of the season Saturday night against the Guardians. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. at T-Mobile Park.
This story was originally published March 27, 2026 at 9:22 PM.
The News Tribune
Tyler Wicke joined The News Tribune in 2019 as a sports clerk. A graduate of the University of Washington Tacoma in 2021, Wicke covers the Mariners, preps, and maintains clerical duties. Was once a near-scratch golfer, but now, he’s just happy to break 80.
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