Randy Arozarena Had an Epic Bat Flip and Home Run Trot After Game-Tying Blast

That's how you start a season.
Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) celebrates after hitting a solo-home run against the Athletics during the eighth inning at T-Mobile Park.  Images
Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) celebrates after hitting a solo-home run against the Athletics during the eighth inning at T-Mobile Park. Images / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
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The Seattle Mariners carry high expectations into the 2025 season and wasted no time providing their fans with a thrilling Opening Day victory over the Athletics in comeback fashion. Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Randy Arozarena stepped into the batter's box and did not exit until he had launched a mammoth, game-tying home run to left field.

It was a special moment that called for a special celebration and Arozarena delivered, spiking his bat into the Earth's mantle and staring into his home dugout.

Jorge Polanco would soon follow with a decisive two-run shot of his own as the Mariners got off to a 1-0 start.

It would be hard for Seattle to script a better first act for their season and the late-inning heroics had to feel good for Arozarena who came over to the club via a midseason trade last campaign.


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Kyle Koster
KYLE KOSTER

Kyle Koster is an assistant managing editor at Sports Illustrated covering the intersection of sports and media. He was formerly the editor in chief of The Big Lead, where he worked from 2011 to '24. Koster also did turns at the Chicago Sun-Times, where he created the Sports Pros(e) blog, and at Woven Digital.