CINCINNATI (AP) — In a thrilling showdown at Great American Ball Park, the Seattle Mariners triumphed over the Cincinnati Reds 11-7 in extra innings on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing both teams' resilience and a few costly mistakes that ultimately swayed the outcome.
The Mariners, now 10-9 on the season, rallied late thanks to a game-tying home run from Randy Arozarena in the ninth inning, followed by a two-run double during a four-run 10th inning. Seattle's comeback was nothing short of dramatic, as they managed to overcome a 7-5 deficit established by the Reds.
It all began in the first inning when Austin Hays launched a two-run homer off Mariners starter Emerson Hancock, giving the Reds an early 2-0 lead. Hays' blast was his second since returning from the injured list just two days prior, marking an impressive debut for the season. However, the Mariners responded in the fourth inning when Luke Raley tied the game with a two-run homer off Brady Singer, who struggled through 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, two of which were earned.
The game took a pivotal turn in the eighth inning when Jake Fraley hit a grand slam off Mariners reliever Eduard Bazardo, propelling the Reds to a 7-5 advantage. It was Fraley's second career grand slam, the first coming back in 2001 against the Los Angeles Angels. With the crowd of 18,032 on their feet, the Reds seemed poised to secure the win.
However, the ninth inning brought heartbreak for the Reds. Emilio Pagán, who had been perfect in save opportunities this season, faltered by allowing back-to-back solo home runs to Cal Raleigh and Arozarena, tying the game at 7-7. Pagán expressed his disappointment, stating, "I blew the game, so that part stinks but you have to stay 'big picture' on these things. I faced five hitters, I threw 13 pitches, had two strikeouts. Most of the time, that line leads to 'we win the game.'" His sentiment echoed the frustration felt by the Reds players and fans alike.
As the game moved into extra innings, the Mariners capitalized on a series of errors by the Reds. In the 10th, designated runner Dylan Moore advanced to third on a fielding error by Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft, who was charged with the loss. J.P. Crawford's infield single then allowed Moore to score, putting Seattle ahead 8-7. Arozarena's two-run double later in the inning extended the Mariners' lead to 10-7, and an additional run crossed the plate due to another error by Elly De La Cruz, marking the fourth unearned run of the inning.
Reds manager Terry Francona reflected on the game, stating, "We made a lot of mistakes. I thought we played with a lot of heart, which is good, but we made too many mistakes to win a game like that today... For today, (the errors) didn't help us. And there's some plays that weren't errors that didn't get made." The Reds finished the game with four official errors, but the reality of their defensive struggles was more pronounced, leading to a disappointing loss.
Despite the setback, the Reds completed their homestand with a 4-2 record after sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates and winning the series opener against Seattle. However, they now sit at 9-10 on the season and will embark on a challenging 10-day, nine-game road trip starting Friday in Baltimore against the Orioles.
Looking ahead, the Reds will send Andrew Abbott (1-0, 1.80 ERA) to the mound against the Orioles, while the Mariners will have Bryan Woo (2-0, 2.84 ERA) starting against the Toronto Blue Jays. Both teams will be eager to bounce back and find consistency as the season progresses.
In conclusion, the Mariners' victory over the Reds showcased the unpredictable nature of baseball, where a game can shift in moments and where the smallest mistakes can have monumental consequences. As both teams prepare for their upcoming matches, fans can expect more excitement and drama in the days to come.
