Seattle Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez is picked off at third base by New York Yankees third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. after Mariners’ Randy Arozarena lost his bat on a swing during the 10th inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Mariners’ Playoff Hopes Dimmed by Strange Loss Against Yankees
SEATTLE (AP) — As their playoff chances dwindled, the Seattle Mariners suffered a bizarre defeat against the New York Yankees, marked by an unusual series of events.
The game ended 2-1 in 10 innings, but it was the bottom of the 10th that will linger in Mariners history. With runners at the corners, Julio Rodríguez was picked off third base after dodging a bat that flew out of Randy Arozarena’s hands during his strikeout.
“I’ve never seen that before in a game. Just a strange situation,” said Seattle manager Dan Wilson.
In the 10th inning, Cal Raleigh’s single advanced Rodríguez, the automatic runner, from second to third. Arozarena then struck out, sending his bat flying dangerously close to Rodríguez’s head.
“Honestly, I saw the bat flying right up to my face,” Rodríguez recounted.
Rodríguez dodged the bat and momentarily lost focus. Catcher Austin Wells quickly threw to third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who caught Rodríguez off the bag.
“I thought it was a dead play after the bat flew,” Rodríguez explained. “When I heard (third base coach) Manny (Acta) yelling, ‘Get back to third,’ I realized what happened.”
The Yankees clinched a playoff spot when Ian Hamilton struck out Justin Turner to end the game.
Rodríguez’s blunder followed a questionable decision the previous night by Victor Robles, who attempted to steal home while Turner was batting with a 3-0 count. Robles was out, and the Yankees won comfortably.
This latest loss stung even more as both Houston and Minnesota lost earlier in the day, denying the Mariners a chance to gain ground in the AL West and wild-card races. Seattle now trails Houston by five games in the division and is three games behind Minnesota for the final wild card.
“It all happened fast, and it was just unfortunate it ended up that way,” Wilson said.