The Seattle Mariners mounted a dramatic comeback Monday night, scoring five runs in the sixth inning to defeat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 in the opening game of their three-game interleague matchup.
Luke Raley and J.P. Crawford delivered crucial home runs during Seattle’s explosive sixth-inning rally, helping the Mariners end a three-game losing streak while snapping Atlanta’s three-game winning streak. The contest featured an unusual offensive display with all nine runs coming from home runs.
Despite surrendering four solo home runs, Seattle starter Logan Gilbert (2-3) earned the victory after pitching six innings. The right-handed pitcher allowed four runs on six hits while recording four strikeouts and issuing two walks.
The Mariners’ bullpen completed the victory as Jose A. Ferrer and Eduard Bazardo threw two scoreless innings in relief, followed by closer Andres Munoz who secured his seventh save of the season in the ninth inning.
Atlanta reliever Tyler Kinley (3-2) took the loss after giving up two runs during his single inning of work.
For the Braves, Matt Olson reached a career milestone by hitting his 300th home run, while Drake Baldwin, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley also connected for solo shots.
Baldwin opened the scoring with a leadoff home run to center field in the first inning.
The score remained 1-0 until the sixth inning when Atlanta appeared to take control. Albies and Olson started the frame with back-to-back home runs to center field, and after one out, Riley blasted a shot to left-center field, giving the Braves a commanding 4-0 lead.
Atlanta rookie pitcher JR Ritchie, a Bainbridge Island native, dominated through five innings before encountering trouble in the sixth. After walking the first two batters he faced, Ritchie allowed Raley’s three-run homer to right-center field, cutting the deficit to 4-3 and ending his evening.
Kinley entered the game and walked Mitch Garver with one out. With two outs, Crawford delivered the game-winning blow with a home run to right field, giving Seattle a 5-4 advantage.
In his third major league start, Ritchie allowed three runs on four hits across five-plus innings, walking six batters while striking out two.
Braves catcher Sean Murphy made his season debut after recovering from hip surgery performed last September. He used up both of his team’s replay challenges in the first inning on ball-strike calls, losing both reviews. Murphy finished 0-for-3 at the plate.
Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh missed his third straight game due to discomfort in his right side.
The loss marked just the fourth defeat for the major league-leading Braves in their past 19 games.
