Deadspin | Rob Refsnyder ‘calming veteran presence’ as Mariners face A’s 
Apr 19, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Rob Refsnyder (30) is congratulated by designated hitter Cal Raleigh (29) after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images Even veteran major leaguers want to make a good first impression.
But Rob Refsnyder had plenty on his mind this spring.
After going hitless in his first 18 at-bats this season, Refsnyder homered on the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning from Texas’ MacKenzie Gore, sparking the host Seattle Mariners to a 5-2 series-clinching victory Sunday.
J.P. Crawford and Randy Arozarena also went deep and Bryan Woo pitched seven strong innings as the Mariners won their second straight game.
The Mariners are scheduled to open a three-game home series against the American League West rival Athletics on Monday.
“You never want to be in a slump, especially early in the year, new team, new city,” said Refsnyder, 35. “So I’ve definitely been hard on myself. …
“As an older guy, you try to preach having a routine and don’t worry about the results. But sometimes when it’s happening to you, it’s hard to think like that. But it keeps a good perspective on how long the year is and just the ups and downs of the season.”
Not only is Refsnyder on his seventh team in 11 seasons, but he had to make a cross-country move this offseason with his pregnant wife Monica. She gave birth to the couple’s third child, a son named Ryan, last week, and Sunday’s game was Refsnyder’s first start since being activated from the paternity list.
“You’re going through a really tough start of the year, but probably one of the most beautiful moments of my life is happening at the same time,” Refsnyder said. “So just to try to keep that perspective when you’re not getting results or hits has helped. But I’m very tired, so if I’m pretty monotone or dragging a little bit, hopefully you guys give me some grace.”
Woo said Refsnyder has fit in seamlessly with a team that reached Game 7 of the AL Championship Series last fall.
“He brings such a calming veteran presence …” Woo said. “So for him to kind of break through a little bit there, I know he’s been hard on himself, so that means a lot. Everybody was stoked to see that.”
The Athletics remain tied with Texas atop the division despite losing three of their past four games, including a 7-4 defeat to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday in West Sacramento, Calif.
Darell Hernaiz hit his first homer of the season for the A’s, who couldn’t overcome a 6-1 deficit.
“Did like that we got the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning … we still continued to battle and fight,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “Those are the signs of a team that has expectations to win games. Not a great series for us, but we’ve got a big one coming up … hopefully, the energy in Seattle is good.”
Monday’s series opener is set to feature a pair of right-handers in the A’s J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.31 ERA) and the Mariners’ Emerson Hancock (2-1, 2.28).
Ginn will be making his third start since moving into the rotation. He allowed two runs on three hits over 9 1/3 innings in his first two. Ginn is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA in one career start against Seattle in September 2024.
Hancock, who is 0-0 with a 3.97 ERA in two previous starts against the A’s, took a no-decision Wednesday at San Diego as closer Andres Munoz blew a four-run lead in the ninth inning of a 7-6 defeat. Hancock went six innings and gave up two runs on four hits, with one walk and six strikeouts.
–Field Level Media
#Deadspin #Rob #Refsnyder #calming #veteran #presence #Mariners #face
Apr 19, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Rob Refsnyder (30) is congratulated by designated hitter Cal Raleigh (29) after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images Even veteran major leaguers want to make a good first impression.
But Rob Refsnyder had plenty on his mind this spring.
After going hitless in his first 18 at-bats this season, Refsnyder homered on the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning from Texas’ MacKenzie Gore, sparking the host Seattle Mariners to a 5-2 series-clinching victory Sunday.
J.P. Crawford and Randy Arozarena also went deep and Bryan Woo pitched seven strong innings as the Mariners won their second straight game.
The Mariners are scheduled to open a three-game home series against the American League West rival Athletics on Monday.
“You never want to be in a slump, especially early in the year, new team, new city,” said Refsnyder, 35. “So I’ve definitely been hard on myself. …
“As an older guy, you try to preach having a routine and don’t worry about the results. But sometimes when it’s happening to you, it’s hard to think like that. But it keeps a good perspective on how long the year is and just the ups and downs of the season.”
Not only is Refsnyder on his seventh team in 11 seasons, but he had to make a cross-country move this offseason with his pregnant wife Monica. She gave birth to the couple’s third child, a son named Ryan, last week, and Sunday’s game was Refsnyder’s first start since being activated from the paternity list.
“You’re going through a really tough start of the year, but probably one of the most beautiful moments of my life is happening at the same time,” Refsnyder said. “So just to try to keep that perspective when you’re not getting results or hits has helped. But I’m very tired, so if I’m pretty monotone or dragging a little bit, hopefully you guys give me some grace.”
Woo said Refsnyder has fit in seamlessly with a team that reached Game 7 of the AL Championship Series last fall.
“He brings such a calming veteran presence …” Woo said. “So for him to kind of break through a little bit there, I know he’s been hard on himself, so that means a lot. Everybody was stoked to see that.”
The Athletics remain tied with Texas atop the division despite losing three of their past four games, including a 7-4 defeat to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday in West Sacramento, Calif.
Darell Hernaiz hit his first homer of the season for the A’s, who couldn’t overcome a 6-1 deficit.
“Did like that we got the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning … we still continued to battle and fight,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “Those are the signs of a team that has expectations to win games. Not a great series for us, but we’ve got a big one coming up … hopefully, the energy in Seattle is good.”
Monday’s series opener is set to feature a pair of right-handers in the A’s J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.31 ERA) and the Mariners’ Emerson Hancock (2-1, 2.28).
Ginn will be making his third start since moving into the rotation. He allowed two runs on three hits over 9 1/3 innings in his first two. Ginn is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA in one career start against Seattle in September 2024.
Hancock, who is 0-0 with a 3.97 ERA in two previous starts against the A’s, took a no-decision Wednesday at San Diego as closer Andres Munoz blew a four-run lead in the ninth inning of a 7-6 defeat. Hancock went six innings and gave up two runs on four hits, with one walk and six strikeouts.
–Field Level Media
![IPL 2026: Venkatesh Iyer on limited chances at RCB — Sitting in the wings doesn’t mean I am not part of the plan IPL 2026 has been a double whammy for Venkatesh Iyer. So strong is the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad that he has featured in just one of six games.And in that match, because of the Impact Player rule, the all-rounder could only showcase one of his two skills.But the 31-year-old, who played leading roles in Kolkata Knight Riders’ title dash in 2024 and the runner-up finish in 2021, remains upbeat.“I am not used to sitting out, but as someone who places the team above everything else, it’s my duty to adhere to the environment,” Venkatesh, who was signed for Rs. 7 crore, told reporters on Wednesday. “RCB is the defending champion. To tinker with a winning combination is not always the smartest move.“Sitting in the wings doesn’t mean that I am not part of the plan. I got one opportunity and I was extremely delighted that I scored (29 n.o., from 15 balls versus Rajasthan Royals). Right now, I am backing the boys 100 per cent to do the job.”Interestingly, from the 2023 season when the Impact Player rule was introduced, Venkatesh has bowled all of six balls in 41 outings.“Impact Player [rule] never stopped a Hardik [Pandya] or a [Andre] Russell or a [Sunil] Narine from bowling four overs,” Venkatesh opined. “It’s not stopping Nitish Reddy either. It actually pushes you to be the best all-rounder version that you can be.“But it does curtail the opportunity for the one- and two-over bowlers. If I am the captain, I need to figure out how to use my five [specialist] bowlers and how to give my sixth [part-time] bowler a go. But here, your sixth bowler is also a specialist bowler. So there is cushion for strategising.”Venkatesh, though, is not giving up on his bowling.“I know that I won’t be bowling four overs [in white-ball cricket]. So I try to identify someone who has played a lot of red-ball cricket.“I had Mitchell Starc [at KKR in 2024]. This year, I have Josh Hazlewood. I make it a point to have conversations because I want to win Madhya Pradesh the Ranji Trophy once again. And I know that I can do it with a ball in hand.”Published on Apr 22, 2026 #IPL #Venkatesh #Iyer #limited #chances #RCB #Sitting #wings #doesnt #part #plan](https://i1.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/gxtfyh/article70893892.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/_DSC3856.JPG?ssl=1 "IPL 2026: Venkatesh Iyer on limited chances at RCB — Sitting in the wings doesn’t mean I am not part of the plan IPL 2026 has been a double whammy for Venkatesh Iyer. So strong is the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad that he has featured in just one of six games.And in that match, because of the Impact Player rule, the all-rounder could only showcase one of his two skills.But the 31-year-old, who played leading roles in Kolkata Knight Riders’ title dash in 2024 and the runner-up finish in 2021, remains upbeat.“I am not used to sitting out, but as someone who places the team above everything else, it’s my duty to adhere to the environment,” Venkatesh, who was signed for Rs. 7 crore, told reporters on Wednesday. “RCB is the defending champion. To tinker with a winning combination is not always the smartest move.“Sitting in the wings doesn’t mean that I am not part of the plan. I got one opportunity and I was extremely delighted that I scored (29 n.o., from 15 balls versus Rajasthan Royals). Right now, I am backing the boys 100 per cent to do the job.”Interestingly, from the 2023 season when the Impact Player rule was introduced, Venkatesh has bowled all of six balls in 41 outings.“Impact Player [rule] never stopped a Hardik [Pandya] or a [Andre] Russell or a [Sunil] Narine from bowling four overs,” Venkatesh opined. “It’s not stopping Nitish Reddy either. It actually pushes you to be the best all-rounder version that you can be.“But it does curtail the opportunity for the one- and two-over bowlers. If I am the captain, I need to figure out how to use my five [specialist] bowlers and how to give my sixth [part-time] bowler a go. But here, your sixth bowler is also a specialist bowler. So there is cushion for strategising.”Venkatesh, though, is not giving up on his bowling.“I know that I won’t be bowling four overs [in white-ball cricket]. So I try to identify someone who has played a lot of red-ball cricket.“I had Mitchell Starc [at KKR in 2024]. This year, I have Josh Hazlewood. I make it a point to have conversations because I want to win Madhya Pradesh the Ranji Trophy once again. And I know that I can do it with a ball in hand.”Published on Apr 22, 2026 #IPL #Venkatesh #Iyer #limited #chances #RCB #Sitting #wings #doesnt #part #plan")
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