Mariners 5-3 Cardinals: late surge secures win (Sept 9, 2025)

The Seattle Mariners kept their postseason hopes alive Tuesday night with a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. They trimmed the gap in the AL West race to just a single game.

Randy Arozarena’s four-RBI night and Josh Naylor’s signature flair at the plate powered Seattle. The Mariners overcame an uneven start from George Kirby, thanks to a lockdown bullpen and some clutch defense.

Fans at T-Mobile Park got a show that mixed power hitting, timely execution, and late-inning drama. Seattle’s still aiming to snag the division lead.

Arozarena’s Career Night Fuels Mariners’ Victory

Randy Arozarena was the heartbeat of Seattle’s offense. He launched a go-ahead three-run homer in the third inning—his 27th of the year, which set a new career high.

That blast flipped the momentum after the Cardinals had jumped ahead early. You could feel the shift in the stadium.

Adding to the Lead

Arozarena didn’t let up after his milestone homer. He added another RBI with a sacrifice fly in the fifth, bringing his total to four on the night.

His clutch hitting has been a constant in August and September. He’s turned into one of the most dangerous bats in the Mariners’ lineup lately.

Josh Naylor’s Power Surge Continues

If Arozarena changed the game, Josh Naylor brought the swagger. He hammered his 19th homer of the season—a solo shot in the late innings—then tossed his bat, firing up the crowd.

Consistency at the Plate

Naylor’s on a four-game RBI streak, with seven RBIs and three homers in that stretch. Since joining Seattle, he’s been electric at T-Mobile Park, hitting .379 with 13 RBIs and eight steals in just 17 home games.

That mix of power, average, and speed fits perfectly with the Mariners’ style. It’s hard not to notice.

Kirby Struggles, Bullpen Steps Up

Seattle starter George Kirby ran into trouble early, giving up three runs on seven hits over four innings. He didn’t have his best stuff but kept the Mariners close enough for the offense to make a move.

Shutdown Relief Work

The bullpen came through with one of its best efforts of the season, tossing five innings and allowing just two hits. Caleb Ferguson set the tone with a clean fifth, and closer Andrés Muñoz notched his 34th save to wrap things up.

Seattle’s relief corps showed off its depth and reliability. That’s got to be reassuring for fans.

Defensive Gem Seals the Win

The Mariners’ defense delivered a crucial moment in the ninth. With the Cardinals threatening, Naylor made a sharp play at first to rob Pedro Pagés of a leadoff single.

That stop killed any chance of a rally and kept the two-run cushion safe. Sometimes, it’s those little things that matter most.

Why Defense Matters in a Playoff Race

Plays like Naylor’s in the ninth can be the hidden difference in a tight race. As October approaches, Seattle’s ability to pair power hitting with airtight defense could make all the difference.

Looking Ahead to the Series Finale

This win sets up a high-stakes series finale on Wednesday night. The Mariners will send Logan Gilbert to the mound, hoping to clinch the series and maybe even pull even in the AL West.

The Cardinals will counter with young right-hander Michael McGreevy, aiming to play spoiler to Seattle’s playoff chase. Should be a good one.

Key Storylines to Watch

Seattle fans have a few burning questions:

• Can Arozarena and Naylor keep up their hot bats?
• Will Gilbert step up and give the bullpen a break?
• Can the Mariners keep that home-field spark alive at T-Mobile Park?

The Mariners are rolling with big bats, a locked-in bullpen, and a wild crowd behind them. Wednesday’s game feels like it could swing the whole playoff race.

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Here is the source article for this story: Mariners 5-3 Cardinals (Sep 9, 2025) Game Recap