SEATTLE — Julio Rodriguez put the exclamation point on a Rookie of the Year campaign by hitting 28 home runs, and the Seattle Mariners looked poised to return to the playoffs after a long absence by overcoming Wednesday’s 5-4 to the Detroit Tigers.
Ty France hit a game-ending single for Seattle.
Rodriguez set a franchise record, opening a game with a home run for the sixth time this season. He finished his rookie regular season with a .284 average, 25 doubles, 75 RBIs and 25 steals.
Mitch Haniger added a two-run homer, while Luis Torrens, who improvised as a pitcher and got a win in the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader, hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, to give Seattle a 4-3 lead.
The Mariners settled the game in the ninth after Gregory Soto (2-11) walked and made a throwing error on JP Crawford’s grounder to get Casali into scoring position.
Jarred Kelenic walked and France singled.
Seattle (90-72) stringed together seasons with 90 wins or more, something they hadn’t achieved since 2000-2003. His next challenge is the American League wild card series, starting Friday in Toronto.
The win went to Erik Swanson (3-2), with two strikeouts in the ninth inning
For the Tigres, Puerto Rican Javier Báez 3-1 with an RBI. The Dominican Jeimer Candelario 4-2 with an RBI.
For the Mariners, the Dominicans Rodríguez 2-1 with a run scored and an RBI, Carlos Santana 4-1. The Venezuelans Torrens 4-2 with one scored and two produced, Abraham Toro 4-2.