Every professional baseball player dreams of the moment they first round the bases in the major leagues. For Seattle Mariners catcher Jhonny Pereda, that dream became a vivid reality on Wednesday afternoon at T-Mobile Park. In a tightly contested battle, the veteran catcher reached a career milestone by hitting the Jhonny Pereda first MLB home run, a solo shot that helped propel the Mariners to a 5-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox and secured a crucial 2-1 series win for the home club.
The Milestone Moment: Jhonny Pereda First MLB Home Run
The game remained deadlocked until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Jhonny Pereda stepped to the plate against White Sox left-hander Sean Newcomb. Pereda, who was recently recalled from Triple-A Tacoma to provide depth behind the plate, turned on a hanging breaking ball and sent it 392 feet into the Seattle bullpen. The Jhonny Pereda first MLB home run was a long time coming for the 30-year-old, arriving after years of grinding through the minor league ranks.
Pereda’s contribution wasn't limited to his power at the plate. Earlier in the game, he flashed his defensive prowess in the sixth inning by picking off Chase Meidroth at third base. Meidroth had taken an overly aggressive lead, and Pereda’s quick reflex and accurate throw caught the runner leaning. The heads-up play helped preserve a tie game and set the stage for his offensive heroics an inning later.
Randy Arozarena Powers the Seventh-Inning Surge
While Pereda provided the spark, Randy Arozarena provided the cushion. Following a double by Julio Rodriguez, the White Sox turned to reliever Jordan Hicks to face Arozarena with two outs in the seventh. The move backfired as Arozarena crushed a two-run homer to left-center field, his fifth of the season. The blast gave the Mariners a 5-2 lead and proved to be the difference-maker in the final score.
Arozarena was a constant thorn in the side of the White Sox pitching staff throughout the afternoon. He finished the game having scored three runs, including a second-inning tally after being hit by a pitch and stealing second base. His ability to impact the game with both his legs and his bat continues to be a vital asset for a Mariners lineup looking to gain ground in the AL West race.
Mariners Bullpen Holds Firm Despite Late Scare
On the mound, Emerson Hancock delivered another steady performance for Seattle. Hancock pitched five innings, marking his 10th consecutive start of at least five frames. While he didn't factor into the decision, his ability to eat innings kept the Mariners within striking distance during the early stages of the game. The bullpen then took over to navigate the final four frames.
Cooper Criswell (2-1) earned the victory after providing solid middle relief. The afternoon also featured the season debut of Matt Brash, who was activated from the 15-day injured list (right lat inflammation) earlier in the day. Brash looked sharp in his return, pitching a scoreless frame and striking out two batters. The game eventually moved to the ninth, where Jose A. Ferrer took the mound looking for the save. Despite surrendering a leadoff home run to pinch-hitter Randal Grichuk, Ferrer settled down to strike out the side—including the dangerous Munetaka Murakami—to seal the 5-4 win and earn his third save of the season.
White Sox Fight Back Behind Murakami and Benintendi
The Chicago White Sox did not go quietly, showing the resilience that has characterized their recent play. Andrew Benintendi delivered a two-out RBI single in the third inning to tie the game at 1-1, and Munetaka Murakami added an RBI single of his own in the fifth to knot the score at 2-2. Murakami, the Japanese star who leads the American League with 17 home runs, remains a focal point for opposing scouting reports.
Chicago also benefited from some late-inning chaos. In the eighth, Meidroth scored on a throwing error by Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson during a double-play attempt, cutting the deficit to two. However, the White Sox were unable to complete the comeback against Ferrer in the ninth, finishing their road trip with a narrow loss.
Looking Ahead: Mariners Push Toward .500
With the victory, the Mariners improve to 23-27 as they prepare to host the Kansas City Royals. The win is particularly encouraging given the absence of Cal Raleigh, who is currently sidelined with a right oblique strain. Finding production from depth players like Pereda is essential for Seattle to maintain momentum during the summer months.
Key statistics from the series finale include:
- Jhonny Pereda: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI (First career MLB home run)
- Randy Arozarena: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored, 1 SB
- Cooper Criswell: Earned 2nd win of the season in relief
- Jose A. Ferrer: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 K (3rd Save)
The Mariners will look to carry this winning energy into their next series, while the White Sox (25-23) head to San Francisco to face the Giants. For Seattle fans, the sight of Pereda rounding the bases and the return of a healthy Matt Brash to the bullpen provides plenty of reasons for optimism.
Sources & Original Reporting
