Rodriguez's Go-Ahead Single Lifts Mariners Past Royals 3-2

Thursday, July 3rd, 2025

SEATTLE — Julio Rodriguez hit a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning and Randy Arozarena drove in two runs as the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Rodriguez, who left the bases loaded in the fifth inning, atoned for that missed opportunity by hitting a first-pitch cutter from reliever Steven Cruz, who entered for Angel Zerpa (3-1), to the left side. Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia got a piece of Rodriguez’s hit before it ricocheted past him, allowing the Mariners to take a 2-1 lead.

Arozarena, who hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to center in the seventh. The Mariners needed that extra run as the Royals closed within a run in the eighth inning on an RBI single from Salvador Perez.

Mariners reliever Carlos Vargas (3-5) struck out two in one inning of relief and closer Andres Munoz picked up his 19th save.

Key Moment

With runners on first and third in the top of the first inning, Royals rookie right fielder Jac Caglianone lined out sharply to right. Kansas City scored just one run in the inning, but could have scored more had Caglianone's ball fallen for a hit.

Key Stat

Arozarena has homered in three consecutive regular-season games for the first time in his major league career. He also homered in three straight American League Division Series games with the Tampa Bay Rays from Oct. 5-7 in 2020.

Up Next

Seattle RHP Bryan Woo (7-4, 2.93 ERA) goes against Kansas City RHP Seth Lugo (5-5, 2.74) in the finale of the four-game set.

In summary

The Seattle Mariners defeated the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on July 2, 2025. The winning run came in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Julio Rodriguez. Randy Arozarena contributed with a solo home run in the sixth inning and a sacrifice fly in the seventh, driving in two runs total. Mariners pitcher Carlos Vargas earned the win, and Andres Munoz recorded his 19th save. The Royals scored one run in the first inning and narrowed the lead in the eighth with an RBI single from Salvador Perez. A key moment early in the game was a lineout by Royals rookie Jac Caglianone with runners in scoring position. Randy Arozarena extended his home run streak to three consecutive games. The series concludes with a matchup between Seattle's Bryan Woo and Kansas City's Seth Lugo.

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