Speedy Robles continues to be Seattle's secret spark plug

DETROIT -- That awful April moment when he crashed into the net in San Francisco and fractured his left shoulder could have easily ended Victor Robles' season.

Instead, here he is, sparking the Seattle Mariners in so many ways as they find themselves just one win away from the American League Championship Series.

It was Robles’ heads-up urgency and fleet feet that first got the Mariners on the board in their eventual 8-4 triumph over the Tigers in Game 3 of the AL Division Series on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.

“I'm always trying to use my legs,” Robles said through interpreter Freddy Llanos. “I think that's one of the biggest tools that I have.”

• Mariners-Tigers ALDS Game 4 FAQ

He used that tool in the top of the third inning. First, he dashed from second to third on a J.P. Crawford single to left-center field. Then, Detroit made a fielding flub when left fielder Riley Greene’s throw sailed past cutoff man Zach McKinstry and got away from catcher Dillon Dingler, and Robles took full advantage by hustling home and sliding in safely. (Replay confirmed the call.)

The sense of the moment was no surprise from a player like Robles, who, earlier in the week, had discussed the importance of showing energy on the field.

“It's kind of the name of baseball,” he said. “It's definitely a game. It's something to go enjoy.”

It says a lot about the 28-year-old Robles that he could temporarily destroy his shoulder, nearly end his season before he even got going and come away with no regrets.

Back on April 6, Robles, playing right field, covered 113 feet in 6.2 seconds and made a remarkable catch leaping into the netting at Oracle Park. The catch counted, but it was immediately evident that Robles was hurt badly. Sure enough, he didn’t make it back to the big leagues until Aug. 23.

In the aftermath of the injury, Robles was asked if he would do it all again.

“100%, absolutely,” he said. “I’m always going to go out there and try to do my best to try to save whatever pitcher of mine is on the mound.”

This is why the Mariners, who signed Robles midway through the 2024 season after he was designated for assignment by the Nationals, love the guy.

With the Nats, Robles’ bat never approached the value of his great glove. But with the Mariners, Robles has been an asset in both areas. In fact, it was right here in Detroit that Seattle signed him to a two-year extension -- a nearly $10 million payday just two months after a 91-loss team gave up on him.

“I think from the moment I stepped in the clubhouse, the team told me, ‘Just be yourself, don't try to be anyone else,’” Robles said. “And that's what I've been doing -- doing what I have to do, impacting the game in the way that I can and help out the team in ways that I can and just enjoying it out there.”

Though his 2025 season was rudely and long-interrupted by that shoulder injury (not to mention a 10-game suspension for regrettably throwing a bat at an opposing pitcher in Triple-A), Robles has been able to make a big impact late.

On Sept. 20, he made Seattle’s catch of the year -- and this one didn’t hurt him. He emerged out of nowhere in right-center to dive and snare a sinking liner off the bat of the Astros’ Carlos Correa at Daikin Park, then doubled up Jake Meyers with a toss to second base to secure a 6-4 victory and essentially seal the Mariners’ long-awaited AL West title.

Robles went hitless in the first two games of this ALDS, but his leadoff double off Jack Flaherty in the third inning of Game 3 set off a meaningful sequence. He advanced on Crawford’s ensuing single and didn’t hesitate when he saw the ball rolling away from Dingler.

“I saw that I had a chance,” he said. “We’re trying to accomplish something, and if you see something little, you’ve got to take advantage of it.”