Julio Rodriguez’s walk-off vs Red Sox marked an unexpected career milestone

What a night! The Mariners came back from behind to win in the 10th inning, thanks to Julio Rodriguez's first career walk-off hit. That was almost hard to believe that this was his first career walk-off, ever. He never did it growing up, never in the minors, and never in The Show, until now.

It was kind of a frustrating game to watch leading up until extra innings. At one point, Red Sox starter Kutter Crawford retired 14 in a row, and the bullpen helped retire 19 of 20 Mariners hitters. Crawford was nasty, only allowing 3 hits over his 6 innings of work. He was matched by our very own Logan Gilbert, though. Gilbert allowed only 4 hits through 7 innings and struck out 8. He now sits one shy of 500 career strikeouts.

Julio Rodriguez had his first career walk off hit as the Mariners won 4-3 in extras

The game was tied at 1 going into extra innings, and the Red Sox managed to score twice in the top of the 10th. Their closer, Kenley Jansen, was not available to pitch in this game due to back stiffness. Jansen said "What can I do? You go to bed, you wake up in the morning and you have a bad back. And you try to ramp it up and it's not allowing you to. We'll see how it goes." The Red Sox tough break was the Mariners gain, in the end.

With the ghost runner on second to begin the bottom of the 10th, new Mariner Luke Raley singled in Ty France to make it a 3-2 lead for the Sox. Luis Urias lined out after ripping a shot up the middle, then Josh Rojas singled and Raley got top third. Rojas was able to get to second thanks to a fielding error by Wilyer Abreu, the Red Sox right fielder. With the infield in, J.P. Crawford grounded to second, but Luke Raley was able to beat the throw home and the game was tied at 3.

With runners at the corners, and one out, Julio Rodriguez came up to the plate. He worked a 3-1 count, and hit a line drive into right field, scoring Rojas, and winning the game for the Mariners. The team mobbed him between first and second, dumping a Gatorade cooler on him. It was a sight to see.

I was lucky enough to be in attendance last night, and that will go down as one of the best games that I have ever attended. Julio Rodriguez showed that he is ready for the big stage, and the mariners are here to play this season. Confidence is at an all-time high for this club, as it should be. This is the type of win that can propel a team into a magical run. This was the kind of win you love to see at the beginning of the season.

If you get the chance, always choose to go to the game in person. You truly never know what you're going to see. Baseball is a magical sport, and one that should be seen in person.

As always, Go Mariners! #TridentsUp