Dodgers beat Mariners 3–2 in Seattle — Emmet Sheehan’s tune-up start, Kiké Hernández 2-run HR, and bullpen holds. Recap, stats, TV info & what’s next.
Dodgers vs Mariners – Headings
The Los Angeles Dodgers escaped a tense game at T-Mobile Park, beating the Seattle Mariners 3–2 on Friday after Kiké Hernández’s two-run homer and a bullpen that held off a late Seattle rally; Emmet Sheehan made a short start in a tune-up role as Los Angeles continued momentum into postseason play.
Why Dodgers – Mariners game mattered
This late-September showdown carried layers of importance:
- Playoff posture: The Dodgers were keeping postseason momentum and managing workloads ahead of October; Seattle was protecting home-field pride after clinching the AL West. The game served as both a competitive regular-season finish and a dress rehearsal of bullpen usage and matchups.
- Pitching & workload management: Emmet Sheehan’s appearance was a “tune-up” start — short, sharp, intended to keep arms fresh and allow the Dodgers’ depth arms to log meaningful high-leverage innings. The bullpen carried the game — a preview of how LA might manage October innings.
- Star power & clutch moments: Kiké Hernández’s two-run blast and timely hitting from Dalton Rushing proved decisive; the Mariners’ late push (bases loaded in the ninth) tested the Dodgers’ bullpen mettle. Those moments are what swing playoff series.
Final score & top-line game facts
- Final: Los Angeles Dodgers 3, Seattle Mariners 2.
- Date / Venue: September 26, 2025 — T-Mobile Park, Seattle. (Fox Sports)
- Winning pitcher / Save: Justin Wrobleski and Tanner Scott closed things out (Scott struck out Eugenio Suárez with the bases loaded to seal it). Blake Treinen and Tanner Scott handled late threats; Wrobleski earned the win in relief.
- Key offensive lines: Kiké Hernández — 2-run homer (game-changing); Dalton Rushing — two hits and an RBI.
How the game unfolded — inning-by-inning narrative
Top 1: Early noise, Sheehan’s short outing
Emmet Sheehan started for Los Angeles and ran into immediate trouble — a first-inning run scored after a fielding miscue. Sheehan allowed one run and one hit before the Dodgers turned to their depth arms. His outing was brief but purposeful: a short tune-up to keep the arm in game state rather than stretch for length.
Middle innings: Hernández breaks it open
The game stayed tight until Kiké Hernández ripped a two-run homer that provided the Dodgers the margin they needed. Dalton Rushing’s two hits (including a key RBI single) supplemented that damage; the Dodgers’ small-ball and timely extra-base hit approach paid dividends.
Late innings: Seattle fights back, bullpen seals it
Seattle pushed late — at one point loading the bases in the ninth — and came within a strike of forcing extra drama. But Tanner Scott struck out Eugenio Suárez with the bases full to end the game, preserving a 3–2 Dodgers victory and maintaining Los Angeles’ momentum into the postseason window. The bullpen’s composure under pressure was the decisive factor.
Player spotlight — Emmet Sheehan (and other key contributors)
Emmet Sheehan — short, effective tune-up
Emmet Sheehan’s outing was the headline for anyone tracking Dodgers pitching depth. The right-hander started and allowed a first-inning tally before the Dodgers turned to relievers; Sheehan’s 2025 season metrics show a 2.82 ERA, a sub-1.00 WHIP and a robust strikeout rate — quality indicators that make him a dependable rotation/back-of-rotation option for the Dodgers. His MLB bio and season page show he’s been an important depth arm for L.A. this season.
Why it matters: Short, controlled starts late in the season protect arms while letting the club assess bullpen roles and matchups for October. Sheehan’s profile suggests he can swing between spot starts and high-leverage relief if needed.
Kiké Hernández — the clutch veteran
Hernández supplied the decisive blow — a two-run home run — and swings like that from experienced hitters are worth their weight in October insurance. He’s a role player who produces big hits at opportune times.
Dalton Rushing — timely contact
Rushing’s two hits included a run-producing single that added insurance. As a depth bat, his ability to deliver situational hitting in Seattle’s pitcher-friendly park mattered.
Match player stats — top lines (box-score highlights)
(Official box score and play-by-play are linked in authoritative sources below; these are the top takeaways.)
Dodgers offense
- Kiké Hernández — 1 HR, 2 RBI (game-winning two-run shot).
- Dalton Rushing — 2 H, 1 RBI.
Dodgers pitching
- Emmet Sheehan — start (short), allowed 1 R early; purpose was to give bullpen work but maintain arm readiness.
- Justin Wrobleski — win in relief (two scoreless innings noted in True Blue LA recap).
- Tanner Scott — save, struck out Eugenio Suárez with bases loaded to end game.
Mariners offense & pitching
- George Kirby — Mariners’ starter — struck out double-digits (10 K) while allowing multiple runs across five innings per ESPN recap; he kept Seattle in it with strong strikeout totals.
For the full play-by-play, pitch counts and situational splits, see ESPN’s complete box score and CBS Sports’ gametracker.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Tactical & matchup takeaways
Dodgers
- Bullpen depth wins games late: The Dodgers leaned on matchups, using Wrobleski, Will Klein, Anthony Banda, Roki Sasaki and established late-inning arms to piece together the necessary innings. That sequencing allowed LA to manage workloads while still winning tight contests — exactly the kind of approach you want entering October.
- Small ball + opportunistic power: LA’s combination of situational hitting (Rushing’s RBI) and Hernández’s homer supplied both manufacturing and power in one lineup. That balance is valuable in postseason best-of series. (CBSSports.com)
Mariners
- Strikeouts but limited run production: George Kirby’s 10 strikeouts signaled dominance, but Seattle couldn’t convert punchouts into a sufficiently large lead. The Mariners left runs on base at crucial junctures, and the bullpen faced high-leverage situations late.
- Late pressure fell short: Loading the bases in the ninth reflected Seattle’s resolve, but closing out high-leverage strikeouts (by Scott) underscored the difference between depth arms and the edge needed in tight games.
Standings & season context
- Dodgers (as of game): Entering this Seattle trip, the Dodgers were 91–69 (per game recaps), maintaining form after clinching the NL West and keeping rhythm ahead of the postseason. (True Blue LA)
- Mariners (as of game): The Mariners were 90–70 after this loss; they had clinched the AL West earlier in the week and were wrapping their regular season with home stands. This game was more about pride and building late-season momentum than playoff seeding.
These late-season win/loss small margins both preserve confidence and shape bullpen usage heading into October. Managers on both sides were testing late-season plans and monitoring workloads for key arms.
Where to watch & streaming info (US & international guide)
If you want to tune in to future Dodgers vs Mariners matchups or watch replays:
- Regional cable: ROOT Sports NW (Mariners regional network) and SportsNet LA (Dodgers regional network) typically carry these regional matchups. Fox Sports and local feeds may vary. For the Sept. 27 matchup, ROOT Sports NW and SportsNet LA were the primary regional channels. (Fox Sports)
- National windows: ESPN/FOX/MLB Network pick up selected marquee games and national windows — check your local listings. MLB.com’s “Where to Watch” pages list national broadcast partners per game. (MLB.com)
- Streaming: Fubo, Prime Video (where available), and regional sports network apps carry live streams subject to blackout rules; check Fubo and Prime Video for availability in your area. (Prime Video)
Tip: If you’re out of market, MLB.tv (subject to local blackout rules), regional network streaming bundles (SportsNet LA subscription) or services like Fubo are the usual go-to options for regular-season coverage.
FINAL: #Dodgers 3, Mariners 2 pic.twitter.com/Jd4l1DSUEE
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 27, 2025
Watchlist & implications for October
- Bullpen roles clarified: Dodgers used multi-inning relief from Wrobleski and trusted closers in Scott and Treinen — those usage patterns will inform October matchups. Managers will be watching which relievers can handle multi-inning high-leverage work. (True Blue LA)
- Matchup notes for potential postseason series: If Dodgers and Mariners were to meet in October (hypothetical cross-league series aside), their bullpen depth and timely hitting (Kiké, Rushing) would be keys. For now, it’s instructive to see how LA navigates high-leverage innings late in the season.
FAQs fans search for
Q: What was the final Dodgers vs Mariners score?
A: Dodgers 3, Mariners 2.
Q: How did Emmet Sheehan pitch?
A: Sheehan made a short start, allowed an early run, and handed the game to the bullpen — his season numbers remain strong (sub-3.00 ERA). See his MLB player page for full season stats. (ESPN.com)
Q: Where could I watch the game?
A: Regional feeds: ROOT Sports NW (Mariners) and SportsNet LA (Dodgers). National windows vary; streaming options include Fubo and Prime Video where licensed. (Seattle’s Sports Radio 950 KJR)