Mariners' Josh Naylor destroys Athletics pitch for first HR since trade
The Seattle Mariners got the spark they were looking for Monday night, and it came off the bat of their newest slugger. In the bottom of the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park, Josh Naylor crushed a 420-foot solo shot to right field off Athletics starter Joey Estes, marking his first home run since being traded to the Seattle last week. The blast gave the Mariners an early 1-0 lead in a divisional matchup they couldn't afford to lose.
Naylor's longball not only energized the dugout but also electrified the fanbase. After the homer, the Mariners took to their official X (formerly known as Twitter) page to share the celebratory moment as Naylor lifted the team's signature trident for the first time.
'Josh Naylor earns the 🔱 for the first time! #TridentsUp'
Traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks just days earlier, Naylor was brought in to provide left-handed power in the middle of the lineup. Through his first three games in a new uniform, the slugger posted a modest .273 average with no extra-base hits—until Monday's breakthrough. It was Naylor's 18th homer of the season and a welcome sign for a club clawing for positioning in both the AL West race and the Wild Card standings.
The Mariners vs. Athletics showdown also carried serious playoff implications. Seattle entered the night 3.5 games behind the Houston Astros in the division and tied with the Texas Rangers. A win over the last-place Athletics kept the pressure on Houston while fending off red-hot challengers like the Rangers, who are surging at 8-2 in their last ten games. The Mariners' trade deadline strategy clearly signaled their intent to contend, and Naylor's bat could be key.
The trade sent two Top 30 prospects to Arizona in exchange for Naylor, a rental bat who's earning $10.9 million this season. His instant impact could pay off big as Seattle navigates a tight schedule of AL West clashes down the stretch.
Naylor's home run also sparked reactions across social media. Fans praised the move and called for a potential extension, while analysts pointed to the veteran's power and postseason experience as valuable assets in the AL West race.
For a club hovering near a Wild Card slot, momentum like this matters. As the club pushes toward October, every win counts—and every swing like Naylor's could make the difference.
Related: Ichiro Suzuki's plaque goes viral on HOF induction day
Related: Mariners' Cal Raleigh breaks tie with Mickey Mantle after 421-foot HR vs. Angels
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