SEATTLE – There was no need to wait for the evening firework show in the Pacific Northwest.
The Mariners’ offense started the celebration early, often and throughout at T-Mobile Park in an 11-0 win over the Blue Jays on America’s 250th birthday Saturday.
A night after getting blanked and after scoring just one run over the past two games, the Seattle offense erupted with 11 hits and three homers. Newly named All-Star Randy Arozarena, who finished with three hits, started the celebration promptly with a second-inning grand slam to give the Mariners an early cushion.
“What an offensive explosion today,” Seattle manager Dan Wilson said.
Arozarena’s two-out grand slam capped a massive five-run inning for Seattle.
He demolished Shane Bieber’s slider in the lower zone and sent it a Statcast-projected 412 feet into left field for his ninth homer of the season and his third career grand slam.
A crowd of 41,181 euphorically chanted “USA! USA! USA!” – fittingly against Seattle's rival neighbors in Canada.
“Just all around, up and down the lineup, great at-bats,” Wilson said. “Really good to see a bust-out after the last couple of days.”
Those chants weren’t just limited to Arozarena, however. Dominick Canzone hit a two-run homer in the fifth – his 14th homer of the season – followed by Cal Raleigh’s three-run shot in the sixth for his ninth of the season to put Seattle up 11-0.
It was the slugging catcher’s first home run since June 23. Raleigh crushed Tommy Nance’s slider in the lower zone that carried a Statcast-projected 384 feet into the second deck.
At this point last year, the American League MVP runner-up had a league-leading 36 homers.
“I know that had to feel good,” Wilson said. “ … It’s great to see that from Cal today. It’s one he can definitely build a lot of confidence from.”
After it was originally announced that starters Logan Gilbert and Emerson Hancock were going to pitch in the Mariners piggyback strategy, it was put on hold once again.
Ditching that strategy – at least for Saturday – proved to be favorable. Gilbert got his normal start and was excellent.
Gilbert allowed one hit in 7 1/3 scoreless innings while walking none and striking out seven. He’s two strikeouts shy of a career 1,000 – all with Seattle. Gilbert didn’t allow a baserunner until the fifth inning on Yohendrick Piñango’s soft single into center field.
In fact, it was the only baserunner he allowed.
Gilbert came out for the eighth, but he was pulled after forcing Ernie Clement to line out on his 91st pitch. As Wilson came out of the dugout to replace Gilbert, loud boos were quickly followed by cheers as Gilbert strutted toward the home dugout.
“Anytime that offense puts up that many runs makes it a lot easier,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert has been stellar over his past eight starts, carrying a 1.78 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 10 walks.
In the fourth inning, Nathan Lukes’ grounder ricocheted off Gilbert’s glove. The 6-foot-6 right-hander chased it down and gave a bellyflop, underhanded toss to Josh Naylor for the out. Gilbert could only flash a grin and laugh afterward.
“I told Bryce [Miller], ‘You catch it and throw it to first, no one remembers the play. But you knock it down, jump and flail, then it starts to look pretty good,’” Gilbert said.
The Seattle offense gave Gilbert an early lead as Cole Young started the two-out rally with a double to right-center and quickly scored on Victor Robles’ 500th career hit into left field. Colt Emerson followed with a single, and J.P. Crawford walked to set up Arozarena’s emphatic swing.
“We’re going to start getting some good results here,” Arozarena said through a translator. “And for me, continue to put that work in.