The Seattle Mariners achieved a commanding victory over the San Diego Padres, winning 5-1 in the first game of the newly formalized Vedder Cup series on Friday night. The match featured standout performances, including a leadoff homer from J.P. Crawford and two-run blasts from Rowdy Tellez and Cal Raleigh, contributing to the Mariners’ lead in the American League West.
Rookie pitcher Logan Evans (2-1) continued to impress, navigating through six innings with strong command, allowing just seven hits and striking out three batters. This victory places the Mariners 1.5 games ahead of the Texas Rangers in the division race. The Padres, who entered the game closely trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, struggled to generate offense, with only four players making it into scoring position.
Notably, Crawford’s homer was his fourth of the season and marked his 14th career leadoff homer, placing him second in Mariners history behind the legendary Ichiro Suzuki. The game atmosphere was electric as the teams celebrated their rivalry, officially dubbed the Vedder Cup after Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder. Despite being a Cubs fan, Vedder’s connection to both San Diego and Seattle makes this matchup culturally significant, with a trophy featuring a guitar awarded to the winner of the series.
In a philanthropic spirit, both teams are dedicated to supporting the EB Research Partnership, an initiative founded by Eddie and Jill Vedder, aimed at funding research for treatments and cures for Epidermolysis Bullosa.
Looking ahead, the Mariners are set to face off against the Padres again, with Emerson Hancock (1-2, 6.91 ERA) on the mound for Seattle against San Diego’s Nick Pivetta (5-2, 3.05) in Saturday’s matchup.
This game highlights not just the competitive spirit of baseball but also the community engagement of both teams through charitable efforts, making the series not just about sports but also about making a difference.