Walton's 10th-Inning Blast Lifts Athletics Over Mariners 6-5

Walton Delivers in the 10th

Donovan Walton drove in the winning run with a two-run home run to right field in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the Sacramento Athletics past the Seattle Mariners 6-5 on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The 366-foot blast scored Stefanic and secured the win for the home team at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, before an attendance of 8,682.

Early Back-and-Forth

The game featured a tight offensive exchange from the opening frames. In the top of the first, Arozarena scored on a fielder's choice to make it 1-0, but the Mariners quickly tied the game 1-1 on a double by McNeil.

Seattle then took a 2-1 lead when McNeil scored on an error, though the Athletics erased that advantage in the bottom of the second when Naylor scored on a ground ball to tie the game 2-2.

Home Run Exchange

The third inning brought the first of the game's three home runs. Butler hit a 394-foot shot to right field, scoring McNeil and giving Seattle a 4-2 lead. The response came in the sixth when Montes connected for a 430-foot home run to right center, driving in Naylor to restore parity at 4-4. The score remained level until the extra-inning drama began in the 10th.

Final Inning Action

In the top of the 10th, Rodriguez singled to center field to score Arozarena, extending Seattle's lead to 5-4. However, the Athletics answered immediately in the bottom of the 10th. Walton's walk-off homer provided the decisive blow, ending the game in favor of the home side. The victory improved the Athletics' record to 60-88, while the Mariners fell to 69-79.

Pitching Performance

Jeffrey Springs started for the Athletics, pitching five innings while allowing six hits and two earned runs with two walks and one strikeout. Chris Roycroft earned the win, pitching one inning with two hits, no earned runs, and no walks. For Seattle, George Kirby took the loss.

He pitched six innings, allowing nine hits and four earned runs with two walks and five strikeouts. Carlos Vargas pitched one inning, allowing one hit and no earned runs. Other Mariners relievers included Jose Ferrer, Seranthony Dominguez, and Eduard Bazardo.

The Athletics bullpen also featured Scott Blewett, Luis Medina, Hogan Harris, and Elvis Alvarado.

Sources

ESPN