DeLauter Launches Two Homers as Guardians Down Mariners 6-4 in Season Opener
Guardians' Tanner Bibee leaves season opener with sore right shoulder after pitching five innings.
Chase DeLauter homers twice as Guardians beat Guardians beat Mariners in season opener, 6-4
The Cleveland Guardians kicked off their 2025 season in style as rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter launched two home runs to power a 6-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Opening Day. DeLauter, who earned a spot on the Opening Day roster after an impressive spring training, announced his arrival to the major league stage with a towering solo shot in the third inning and a three-run blast in the sixth that gave Cleveland a commanding lead. The 23-year-old's performance electrified the home crowd and set an early tone for what the Guardians hope will be a competitive season in the American League Central.
However, the day was not without concern for Cleveland. Starting pitcher Tanner Bibee, who was expected to anchor the Guardians' rotation this season, departed the game after five innings with a sore right shoulder. Bibee had been effective before his exit, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out six Mariners batters. The team announced that Bibee would undergo further evaluation in the coming days, leaving the Guardians hopeful that the issue is minor but bracing for the possibility of an early-season setback to their pitching staff.
Seattle mounted a late rally to make things interesting, plating two runs in the eighth inning to cut the deficit to 6-4. The Mariners loaded the bases with one out, but Cleveland's bullpen held firm as closer Emmanuel Clase entered the game and induced a double-play grounder to end the threat. Clase then returned for a clean ninth inning to seal the victory, earning his first save of the young season.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt praised DeLauter's poise in his first Opening Day appearance while acknowledging the concern surrounding Bibee's shoulder. "Chase was special today. He didn't look like a young player out there — he looked like a guy who's been doing this for years," Vogt said. "As for Tanner, we're going to be cautious and make sure we take care of him. It's a long season, and his health is the priority." The Guardians will continue their opening series against Seattle with the second game of the set scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.