Mariners’ Rob Refsynder strikes for big HR vs A’s lefty

With the Seattle Mariners making a push to move into first place in the AL West, they’re starting to look like the team they were expected to be going into the 2026 season.

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A great example of that was provided in the first inning Wednesday in Sacramento, when Rob Refsnyder jumped on a 3-2 changeup from Athletics left-hander Jeffrey Springs for a three-run home run.

Ref gets us started! #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/jUsJwztvOP

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 27, 2026

The Mariners came into the game having won two straight against the division-leading A’s, which cut Seattle’s deficit in the standings to just a half-game. If the M’s (27-29) can complete the three-game sweep in Sacramento on Wednesday, they’ll move a half-game ahead of the A’s (28-29) for first place.

The 35-year-old Refsnyder was signed by Seattle in the offseason to give the lineup an experienced bat with a track record of success against left-handed pitching, but he has struggled out of the gate with his new team – he entered the day with just a .115 batting average.

Refnsyder’s 368-foot blast, which had an exit velocity of 107.7 mph off the bat, was his third home run of the year. Perhaps not so coincidentally, the Mariners have won every series that Refsnyder has homered in this season.

Last year, Refsnyder posted a .269/.354/.484 slash line for a .838 OPS with nine home runs and 12 doubles in 209 plate appearances for the Boston Red Sox. Specifically against lefties, he had a .302/.399/.560 slash line for a .959 OPS with seven homers and nine doubles.

Hitting against lefties has been an issue for the Mariners in 2026 – they’re last in MLB with a .199 average and 28th out of the 30 MLB teams with a .606 OPS against opposing southpaws. But Seattle is coming off a win Tuesday night where it faced three separate A’s lefty pitchers, including rookie starter Gage Jump, who allowed four runs on nine hits and a walk in five innings against the M’s.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Why ‘redundant roster’ could push Mariners into a trade
• Mariners OF prospect Bautista impressing in second pro season
• Olney: Seattle Mariners an interesting trade deadline team

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