Mariners' Julio Rodriguez, Josh Naylor step up to plate at same time

Unusual scene unfolds as Angels intentionally walk Rodriguez, leaving two Seattle batters at the plate.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:36pm

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In a bizarre scene during Friday night's Mariners-Angels game, Seattle stars Julio Rodriguez and Josh Naylor both stepped up to the plate at the same time in the top of the 10th inning. The Angels had intentionally walked Rodriguez, but he didn't realize it, leading to the unusual dual-batter situation. After a wild pitch, Naylor delivered a two-run single to give the Mariners a 3-0 lead on the way to a 3-1 victory.

Why it matters

Unusual plays like this one are rare in baseball, providing a lighthearted moment in an otherwise tense extra-inning game. The incident highlights the focus and intensity of MLB hitters, who are so dialed in on their at-bats that they can sometimes miss what's happening around them.

The details

With the Mariners leading 1-0 in the 10th and a runner on third, the Angels opted to intentionally walk Julio Rodriguez, the team's young star. However, Rodriguez didn't realize he had been walked and stepped up to the plate, only to find teammate Josh Naylor joining him there. After a brief moment of confusion, Rodriguez realized the situation and took his base, setting up Naylor's game-breaking two-run single.

  • The incident occurred in the top of the 10th inning of Friday night's Mariners-Angels game.

The players

Julio Rodriguez

The Mariners' young star outfielder who is one of the most exciting players in Major League Baseball.

Josh Naylor

The Mariners' first baseman who delivered the game-breaking two-run single after the unusual dual-batter situation.

Los Angeles Angels

The Mariners' opponent, who intentionally walked Rodriguez but failed to communicate it effectively.

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What they’re saying

“I've never seen anything like that before. It was a pretty funny moment, but I'm just glad we were able to capitalize on it and get the win.”

— Josh Naylor, Mariners First Baseman

The takeaway

This bizarre incident is a reminder that even the most focused and intense MLB players can sometimes get caught up in the heat of the moment, leading to rare and amusing on-field situations. While it provided a lighthearted moment, the Mariners were ultimately able to turn it into a key insurance run that helped secure the victory.