DeLauter homers again, Guardians outlast Mariners in extras, 6-5
They’re going to see Chase DeLauter in their nightmares.
Andrés Muñoz and the Mariners refused to throw him a strike, but Cleveland’s 24-year-old sensation can’t stop, won’t stop crushing.
This time, DeLauter sent a crowd of 43,283 at T-Mobile Park heading for the exits. Muñoz’s 2-2 offering in the 10th inning missed high and outside, but the Guardians designated hitter somehow swatted a 97-mph fastball the other way — over Randy Arozarena, over the left-field wall, and into the Cleveland bullpen.
The two-run blast, DeLauter’s fourth in three games, gave the Guardians a 6-3 lead. He became the second player in MLB history to hit four home runs in his first three career regular-season games, joining Trevor Story (2016).
He’s the third player ever to homer in three consecutive games to begin a regular-season career.
“The kid’s been swinging the bat very well here in this series,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said of DeLauter. “He didn’t try to do too much with it. Just kind of went with it, and was able to drive it out of the ballpark. He’s shown good power here this whole series.”
Seattle’s Luke Raley matched DeLauter’s two-run blast in the 10th, but Cleveland hung on for a 6-5 win over the Mariners on Saturday night.
Cleveland grabbed a 4-3 lead in the 10th when leadoff hitter Steven Kwan dribbled a textbook bunt down the third-base line. Seattle third baseman Brendan Donovan attempted a highlight, but his throw sailed into right field and allowed automatic Guardians baserunner Brayan Rocchio to coast home from second.
Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez forced extras with the Mariners down to their final strike, lacing a game-tying RBI single to right field in the bottom of the ninth.
Mariners starter Bryan Woo threw six strong innings and tormented Guardians hitters with his four-seam fastball, but he’ll tell you Saturday’s loss was on him. The All-Star right-hander cruised through five scoreless innings before stumbling in the sixth, surrendering a leadoff walk that sparked a two-run Cleveland rally.
Seattle led 2-0 when Guardians star Jose Ramirez roped a two-out, RBI double to right field in the sixth. He scored on Woo’s very next pitch, a sinker driven to right field by Kyle Manzardo for a game-tying, RBI single.
Woo’s final line: Six innings, four hits, two earned runs, a walk and nine strikeouts. And he gave the Mariners everything they needed.
The 26-year-old isn’t a fan of moral victories.
“If I do my job, limit the damage… Even if I just give up one in that inning, I still get out of it with a lead,” Woo said of the sixth. “When you’ve got them down like that, you’ve got to keep them down.
“Especially just a scrappy team like that. You give them any breath… they take it and run with it.”
Seattle’s Victor Robles put the Mariners on the board with a two-out, RBI double to left field off Cleveland starter Joey Cantillo in the first inning. Randy Arozarena singled and scored on a wild pitch in the fourth.
Kwan put Cleveland ahead with a two-out, RBI single in the seventh.
Raley has homered in three consecutive games start the regular season (3-for-9, 3 HR), tying a Mariners franchise record set by second baseman Robinson Cano in 2016.
RALEIGH ENDS BIZZARE MARINERS HISTORY
There it was, in all its glory, 21 innings later: Seattle’s first single of the season.
Yes, really.
And it came from the Mariners star who needed it most.
Cal Raleigh’s third-inning base hit up the middle was Seattle’s first single of the season. After six homers. After three doubles. Even after a Leo Rivas triple on Friday night.
The Mariners became the first team in the modern era (since 1900) without a single in each of their first two games, but that dam finally broke Saturday night.
Big Dumper’s single snapped his 0-for-8 (8 K) streak to start the campaign, the first of six Mariners singles — but they weren’t enough in a 6-5 loss to Cleveland.
“Gotta give it to our guys. They came back in the ninth inning and battled to tie,” Wilson said, “making it exciting there in the bottom of the 10th, as well. (We) keep coming back at you, and that’s what this team is all about.
“Just a little bit too late, and a little bit short.”
CRAWFORD NEARING REHAB ASSIGNMENT
Shortstop J.P. Crawford, who began the season on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, will begin a rehab assignment as early as next week — presumably with Triple-A Tacoma during their opening homestand at Cheney Stadium. The Rainiers host Triple-A El Paso in their home opener on Tuesday night.
The longest-tenured Mariners player rejoined his Seattle teammates at T-Mobile Park and participated in batting practice before Saturday’s game. The team will evaluate him this weekend before a rehab date is set.
“We talk a lot about what a leader J.P. is for us, especially when he’s in that lineup and he’s going on a daily basis, just what he means up there,” Wilson said. “Getting him back as quickly as possible is huge. He’s put in the work. He’s getting there, he’s getting ready. It’s really good to see.”
ON DECK
Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock duels Cleveland’s Slade Cecconi in Sunday’s series finale with the Guardians at T-Mobile Park. It’s a special 4:20 p.m. start, televised nationally on Peacock.
This story was originally published March 28, 2026 at 10:29 PM with the headline "DeLauter homers again, Guardians outlast Mariners in extras, 6-5."
