SEATTLE (Interstat) — Chase DeLauter’s two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning proved decisive as the Cleveland Guardians outlasted the Seattle Mariners 6-5 in a tense, extra-inning affair Saturday night at T-Mobile Park.

A crowd of 43,283 watched as the Guardians, who squandered a late lead, rallied to secure the victory and improve to 2-1 on the young season. The Mariners fell to 1-2.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the 10th inning. With the automatic runner Brayan Rocchio starting at second base, Steven Kwan laid down a sacrifice bunt. Seattle third baseman Brendan Donovan’s throwing error allowed Rocchio to score the go-ahead run and allowed Kwan to reach second. On the very next pitch from reliever Andrés Muñoz, DeLauter launched a towering fly ball to left field for a two-run homer, extending Cleveland’s lead to three runs.

That cushion was necessary. In the bottom of the 10th, Seattle mounted a furious comeback against Cleveland closer Connor Brogdon. After a flyout advanced the automatic runner, pinch-hitter Luke Raley connected for a two-run homer to center field, pulling the Mariners within a single run. Brogdon recovered, however, striking out Leo Rivas and Cole Young to end the game and earn his first save.

The contest was a pitcher’s duel for much of the night, headlined by a strong start from Seattle’s Bryan Woo. Woo worked six innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out nine. Cleveland countered with a committee approach, beginning with Joey Cantillo, who went 3 2/3 innings and surrendered two runs.

Seattle struck first in the second inning when Victor Robles doubled home Brendan Donovan. They added another in the fourth on a wild pitch from Cantillo that scored Randy Arozarena.

Cleveland erased the deficit in the sixth against Woo. José Ramírez doubled home Rocchio, and Kyle Manzardo followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 2-2. The Guardians took their first lead in the seventh when Kwan delivered a two-out RBI single, scoring CJ Kayfus.

The 3-2 advantage held into the ninth, thanks to scoreless relief work from Matt Festa and Shawn Armstrong. Seattle rallied in the bottom of the ninth against Cade Smith. Cole Young led off with a double and later scored on a clutch, two-out single by Julio Rodríguez to tie the game and force extra innings.

Smith, who was charged with the tying run, was credited with the win after Cleveland’s 10th-inning outburst. Muñoz took the loss.

The Guardians’ bullpen, despite the late drama, was instrumental. Cleveland relievers combined for 6 1/3 innings, allowing just one earned run. The Mariners outhit Cleveland 9-7, but left nine runners on base.

The game, which lasted 3 hours and 23 minutes, defied pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a low-scoring 2-1 Cleveland victory, while its ELO system gave Seattle a 55.9% probability to win. The combined 11 runs sailed over the posted over/under line of 7.5.

The teams conclude their four-game series Sunday. Cleveland will then travel to face the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game set beginning Monday. Seattle hosts the New York Yankees for three games starting Monday.