Why Josh Naylor’s walk-off in April may change everything for Mariners

The Seattle Mariners defeated the Athletics on Wednesday in a competitive ball game. The A’s tied the game in the top of the ninth before Josh Naylor sent the fans at T-Mobile Park home happy with a clutch walk-off base hit.

Video via MLB:

Josh Naylor walks it off for the @Mariners! pic.twitter.com/r8XKg0JoAr

— MLB (@MLB) April 22, 2026

With runners on first and second and two outs, Naylor took a pitch the other way and drove in the winning run. The big swing not only saved the Mariners from getting swept at home by a division rival, but it may have given them the momentum boost that they have been desperately searching for so far this season.

It’s no secret that the Mariners have been an underachieving team to begin the new campaign. Seattle is now just 11-14 overall and in fourth place in the American League West. Their win on Wednesday could help them finally find consistency in 2026. After all, they certainly have the potential.

The Mariners’ struggles have been fairly concerning, but it is only April. Many of their stars, including Naylor, have been in slumps. Naylor entered Wednesday’s game hitting just .170/.253/.261. The Mariners are certainly hopeful that his walk-off hit on Wednesday will get him going as well.

No, one win does not guarantee that Seattle is back. With that being said, this is the kind of victory that could prove to be the moment the Mariners figure things out this year.

Seattle will look to bring the momentum on the road for their upcoming series in St. Louis against the Cardinals.

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