Cole Young continues breakout as Mariners win another series

Where would the Seattle Mariners be without Cole Young?

The second-year second baseman came up big yet again on Wednesday afternoon, going 2 for 4 with a double and three RBIs to lead the M’s to a 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins that clinched a second straight series win on the road.

Seattle Mariners 5, Minnesota Twins 3: Recap | Box score

Young’s big hit wasn’t hit the hardest, but it certainly meant the most Wednesday.

With one out and runners on second and third in the top of the ninth inning, the Twins had the infield drawn in trying to protect 3-2 lead. Young just got his bat on a 2-2 splitter from Twins reliever Eric Orze, and despite the hit being just 66 mph off the bat, it found its way into center field to score two runs and give the M’s the lead.

Stay hot, Cole Young‼️ pic.twitter.com/edYbA85yfh

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 29, 2026

There was a big play during Young’s at-bat that set up the go-ahead single. Leo Rivas was on first base as a pinch-runner for Dominic Canzone, who had hit a one-out single that advanced Randy Arozarena to third. With the infielders in, Rivas stole second base without a throw, preventing the Twins from playing for a double play and putting himself in scoring position.

Young also came up clutch earlier in the game. He drove a double to the other way to score Canzone with two outs in the top of the seventh inning, tying the game at the time at 2-2.

Cole. Is. Clutch. pic.twitter.com/UIKBrm3Ctr

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 29, 2026

The 22-year-old Young became just the fourth player in Mariners history age 23 or younger with a five-game RBI streak on Tuesday night, and he pushed that streak to six Wednesday. He also currently leads MLB with six go-ahead to tying RBIs in the seventh inning or later this season. And to top it off, he entered Wednesday with the most bWAR (1.9) among second baseman in MLB and most defensive bWAR of any player regardless of position this year.

More: What’s gotten into Mariners 2B Cole Young this season?

Young is hitting .286 with a .357 on-base percentage, .420 slugging percentage and .777 OPS in 2026. He has three home runs, four doubles, a triple and 19 RBIs in 32 games after posting four homers, seven doubles, a triple and 24 RBIs in 77 games as a rookie last year.

Wednesday’s win brought the Mariners back to .500 at 16-16 and put them just a half-game back of the Athletics (15-14) for first place in the American League West.

The Mariners (16-16) return home for a 6:40 p.m. game Friday night against the Kansas City Royals. Mariners Radio Network pregame coverage begins at 5:30 on Seattle Sports.

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