J.P. Crawford kicked off the scoring for the Seattle Mariners by hitting a homer on the very first pitch from Stephen Kolek, contributing to the Mariners’ 5-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday night in the first game of the newly established Vedder Cup. Alongside Crawford, Rowdy Tellez and Cal Raleigh also delivered two-run homers, bolstering the Mariners’ lead.
Rookie Logan Evans (2-1) showcased his talent by pitching six solid innings, allowing just seven hits while striking out three batters and walking one. His performance has helped the Mariners secure a 1 1/2-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West standings. The Padres, who were closely trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, with only four players reaching scoring position throughout the game.
This annual interleague series is named the Vedder Cup, honoring Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder. Despite being a Cubs fan, Vedder has ties to both teams, having spent part of his youth in San Diego before moving to Seattle. The competition, which was formally recognized in March, features a trophy adorned with a guitar donated by Vedder. Both teams aim to create awareness for Epidermolysis Bullosa and support the EB Research Partnership, a charity founded by Eddie and Jill Vedder.
Crawford’s home run, marking his fourth of the season, was a standout moment, traveling 357 feet over the home run porch in right field. Tellez followed suit in the fourth inning with his seventh homer, while Raleigh secured his 14th blast of the season in the sixth.
As the two teams prepare for their next encounter in Seattle from August 25-27, Mariners fans can look forward to another exciting matchup. Mariners’ RHP Emerson Hancock (1-2, 6.91 ERA) is set to take the mound alongside Padres’ RHP Nick Pivetta (5-2, 3.05) on Saturday night. This rivalry has not only spurred competitive spirit on the field but also raised awareness and support for a meaningful cause, showcasing sports’ positive impact on the community.