May 25, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) jogs around the bases after hitting a two run home run during the ninth inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Marshall-Imagn Images
Seattle defeated the Athletics 9-2 in the series opener, delivering four home runs and presenting a formidable test for Athletics’ top prospect Gage Jump.
Left-hander Gage Jump, the Athletics’ highly touted prospect, is slated for his major‑league debut as the team seeks to even the series in West Sacramento, California.
Jump was recalled from Triple‑A Las Vegas on Tuesday, and manager Dan Wilson moved Luis Severino’s start to Wednesday to insert the 23‑year‑old.
According to MLB Pipeline, Jump ranks as the Athletics’ No. 3 prospect. In nine Triple‑A outings this season, he struck out 56 batters over 38 innings, walking 20 and compiling a 0‑2 record with a 4.50 ERA.
A second‑round pick from LSU in 2024, Jump sits at No. 41 in the overall prospect rankings. The Athletics called him up after right‑hander Aaron Civale was placed on the 15‑day injured list due to a shoulder issue.
Seattle will aim to neutralize Jump after a four‑home‑run night — their fourth such performance this season — in a 9‑2 victory over the league‑leading Athletics, putting them within one and a half games of the AL West crown.
Seattle seized control in a six‑run third inning, highlighted by two‑run homers from Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone.
The Athletics were unable to convert a potential inning‑ending double play on a ball hit by Josh Naylor, allowing the first run to score and extending the inning. Seattle capitalized, a performance that impressed manager Dan Wilson.
Wilson remarked, “It felt great to see that big inning explode. Hopefully we can build on it.”
Randy Arozarena went 3‑for‑5 with a home run and three RBIs, while J.P. Crawford added a solo homer as Seattle snapped a two‑game skid.
Wilson said, “It was a great way to start the series. Offensively, the big inning with two outs, solid at‑bats, and the key hits by Raley and Canzone were huge.”
Shea Langeliers homered for the Athletics, who have lost three of their last four games.
Nick Kurtz aims to surpass Mark McGwire’s franchise record for reaching base in 48 consecutive games on Tuesday. He matched the mark — set by McGwire in 1996 — by going 0‑for‑3 with a walk on Monday.
McGwire also holds the overall franchise record of reaching base in 62 straight games, a streak he began with his final 14 appearances of the 1995 season.
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay viewed Seattle’s explosive third inning as a missed opportunity.
Kotsay noted, “If we had turned a double play in the third, the outcome could have been different.”
Right‑hander Aaron Civale has surrendered three homers in each of his last two starts and is dealing with a shoulder ailment that may land him on the injured list.
Kotsay said, “We’ll run tests on Aaron Tuesday morning; he’s most likely headed to the injured list.”
The Athletics received positive news Monday afternoon when standout shortstop Jacob Wilson, recovering from a shoulder injury, took batting practice.
Kotsay said, “It’s a good sign and shows good progress since his diagnosis. He made solid contact off a tee.”
Jacob Wilson dislocated his left shoulder diving for a grounder against the Baltimore Orioles on May 10 and was placed on the 10‑day injured list the following day.
Seattle will start right‑hander Emerson Hancock (3‑2, 3.07), who earned a no‑decision in a 6‑4 loss to the Athletics on April 20 in Seattle, allowing three runs and seven hits in five innings.
Hancock holds a 4.41 ERA with three no‑decisions in three career starts versus the A’s. Tyler Soderstrom (3‑for‑8), Carlos Cortes (2‑for‑2), Brent Rooker (2‑for‑4), Langeliers (2‑for‑7) and Kurtz (1‑for‑4) have each homered off him; Hancock turns 27 on Sunday.
Last Wednesday, Hancock gave up two runs and five hits over five innings in a no‑decision loss to the Chicago White Sox, as Seattle edged a 5‑4 victory.