Julio Rodríguez drives in 2 with infield single, Mariners throw 2-hitter in 4-2 win over Guardians
Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez hits an RBI single off Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Matt Festa during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. Credit: AP/Phil Long
CLEVELAND — Julio Rodríguez drove in two runs with an infield hit and the Seattle Mariners snapped a seven-game road losing streak with a 4-2 victory Sunday over the Cleveland Guardians to salvage the three-game series finale.
With a combined two-hitter, the Mariners extended their lead to three games over the Guardians for the third AL wild-card spot. Seattle entered play two games up on Kansas City.
Randy Arozarena hit a two-run homer for the Mariners, who got six strong innings from Bryce Miller (4-5). The right-hander gave up just two hits — on consecutive pitches in the third.
Gabe Speier and Matt Brash each pitched a perfect inning and Andrés Muñoz worked the ninth for his 32nd save.
Daniel Schneemann hit a two-run homer for Cleveland.
Rodríguez's speed helped the Mariners snap a 2-2 tie in the seventh.
After two runners reached, Guardians starter Tanner Bibee (9-11) was lifted with one out for reliever Matt Festa, who got a groundout before intentionally walking slugger Cal Raleigh. Rodríguez followed with a ball up the middle and beat second baseman Schneemann's throw to first as J.P. Crawford and Cole Young scored.
Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. Credit: AP/Phil Long
The Guardians challenged, but the call was upheld by replay review.
Arozarena's 26th homer tied it 2-2 in the fifth.
Crawford singled, and one out later, Arozarena pulled Bibee's 2-1 pitch into the left-field bleachers for his first career homer in 96 at-bats against Cleveland.
Schneemann connected for his 11th homer in the third.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. Credit: AP/Phil Long
Key moment
Schneemann was behind the bag at second and didn't have an angle to charge Rodríguez's fairly routine bouncer.
Key stat
Miller improved to 7-1 in 13 career starts against AL Central teams.
Up next
Mariners: Luis Castillo (8-7, 3.75 ERA) starts a series opener at Tampa Bay on Monday against Shane Baz (8-11, 5.19).
Guardians: Open a three-game series Monday in Boston with rookie Parker Messick (1-0, 0.66 ERA) facing Brayan Bello (10-6, 2.99),
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