Overturned 3rd strike leads to game-winning homer for Mariners over Cardinals 3-2

Rob Refsnyder successfully challenged a third strike, and then hit a go-ahead solo home run in the ninth inning to lift the Seattle Mariners to a 3-2 win against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

Refsnyder was initially called out by plate umpire John Bacon on an 0-2 pitch that the replay showed was outside. After two more balls, he hit a 412-foot blast into the left-field bullpen off JoJo Romero (0-1) to give the Mariners their first lead.

Eduard Bazardo (1-1) got four outs in relief to record the victory.

JJ Wetherholt led off the third inning with a line drive that traveled 375 feet into the right-field bullpen for the rookie’s fifth home run.

Cal Raleigh answered in the fourth with a 401-footer that also landed in the Cardinals’ bullpen.

Nathan Church added a 407-foot home run down the right-field line in the sixth to put St. Louis up 2-1.

St. Louis RHP Dustin May (3-2, 5.84) takes the mound Monday at Pittsburgh to open a four-game series. The Pirates had not yet announced a probable starter.



(AP Photo Jeff Le)