Our Clients:

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Mar 28, 2025 8:51 am

Mariners’ Jorge Polanco looks to replicate success vs. A’s

jorge polanco mariners

After a winter of uncertainty, Jorge Polanco had an Opening Day to remember.

Polanco went 3-for-3 with a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Seattle Mariners defeated the visiting Athletics 4-2 on Thursday.

The teams are scheduled to continue their four-game series Friday night, with A’s left-hander Jeffrey Springs (2-2, 3.27 ERA in 2024) set to take the mound against Mariners righty Luis Castillo (11-12, 3.64).

Polanco, who spent his first 10 seasons with Minnesota, was acquired by the Mariners on Jan. 29, 2024, for four players and cash.

The former All-Star middle infielder batted a career-low .213 with 16 homers and 45 RBIs for Seattle last season and had a $12 million option declined. Not only that, but he underwent offseason knee surgery.

Polanco discussed jobs over the winter with American League West rivals Houston and the Los Angeles Angels but re-signed with the Mariners on Feb. 3, getting a one-year, $7.75 million deal to play third base for a team that finished one game shy of a playoff berth in 2024.

“It was the players here, they are really good,” Polanco told The Seattle Times. “The chemistry we built by the end of last season was really good. I wanted to come back here. I know we’ve got a chance. I know the kind of players we have. I know these guys are hungry. They have a lot of talent. I just wanted to be back here. I’m trying to win again. I’m trying to accomplish that goal of making the playoffs.”

The Mariners seemed destined to suffer the same fate that befell them so many times last season — getting great starting pitching and not enough offense — until Randy Arozarena hit a tying homer with one out in the eighth inning off A’s reliever Jose Leclerc. After a walk to Luke Raley, Polanco went deep to center to make the score 4-2.

“He had a really good spring training, and the at-bats kept getting better and better,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said of Polanco. “Having him healthy and able to drive in some runs is big for us in the middle of the lineup.”

Both of the Athletics’ runs came on solo homers by Tyler Soderstrom.

“We’ve struggled a little bit with their pitching staff,” A”s manager Mark Kotsay said. “We just couldn’t string (hits) together.”

Friday’s game will feature a pair of pitchers involved in offseason trade talks.

The A’s acquired Springs from Tampa Bay, while the Mariners decided to hold on to Castillo.

After a breakout 2022 in which he went 9-5 with a 2.46 ERA, Springs made just 10 starts over the past two seasons with the Rays because of a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament that required Tommy John surgery.

“It was extremely frustrating. Tampa blessed me with a great (contract) extension, and I felt like I let them down,” Springs said. “That was the hardest part.”

Several teams approached the Mariners about Castillo, but president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said it was “Plan Z” to break up their rotation.

Castillo said he was pleased to stay in Seattle.

“I’m 100 percent happy,” he said. “The talent we have in this rotation … it’s my third year here. Once you’re here this long, you kind of call it a family. I’m happy that I’m here.”

In his career, Springs is 1-0 with an ERA of 2.89 in 10 appearances against the Mariners.

Castillo is 3-2 with a 3.24 ERA in seven starts against the Athletics.

–Field Level Media

You may also like

Sal Frelick
Mar 31, 2025 2:38 am

After miserable start, Brewers head home to face Royals

The Milwaukee Brewers will be looking to put a brutal season-opening road sweep behind them when they open their home campaign against the Kansas Royals on Monday. Left-hander Kris Bubic…

Paddack
Mar 31, 2025 2:35 am

Twins eye first win of ’25, open series at White Sox

After a dreadful season-opening series, the visiting Minnesota Twins will look to earn their first win of the season Monday afternoon when they open a three-game series at the Chicago…

Cubs Diamondbacks
Mar 30, 2025 10:59 pm

MLB roundup: D-backs ride 8-run eighth past Cubs

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a game-tying two-run homer and Josh Naylor doubled in the go-ahead run, all in an eight-run eighth inning, to lift the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 10-6…

More Baseball News

Sal Frelick
Mar 31, 2025 2:38 am

After miserable start, Brewers head home to face Royals

The Milwaukee Brewers will be looking to put a brutal season-opening road sweep behind them when they open their home campaign against the Kansas Royals on Monday. Left-hander Kris Bubic…

Paddack
Mar 31, 2025 2:35 am

Twins eye first win of ’25, open series at White Sox

Cubs Diamondbacks
Mar 30, 2025 10:59 pm

MLB roundup: D-backs ride 8-run eighth past Cubs

padres
Mar 30, 2025 9:57 pm

Padres finish sweep of Braves with second straight shutout

White Sox
Mar 30, 2025 7:48 pm

Kyren Paris’ homer helps Angels defeat White Sox

Read all
fb-post
advertisment
title-icon

Upcoming events

See all odds