Josh Naylor played the hero for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night, crushing a walk-off grand slam in the 11th inning to seal a thrilling 8-4 win over the Seattle Mariners. But while the Chase Field crowd erupted in celebration, one voice outside the field wasn’t impressed. Peter Verlander, brother of three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, criticized Naylor’s home run trot, calling it “lazy” and lacking the energy a moment like that deserved.
“You just GOTTA give me a little more energy on a walk-off grand slam call!! Might be the only one you ever get,” Peter posted on X.
You just GOTTA give me a little more energy on a walk-off grand slam call!!
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) June 10, 2025
Might be the only one you ever get
pic.twitter.com/XyUcaxwCol
Notably, it was not the only moment where Naylor’s reaction looked subdued. His teammate, Geraldo Perdomo, crashed the slugger’s post-game interview, dousing him with water, but surprisingly, Naylor remained unamused and didn’t react.
Josh Naylor’s Grand-Slam Caps Wild Game in Phoenix
The Diamondbacks were cruising with a 4-0 lead entering the ninth, thanks to a strong six-inning, shutout performance from Merrill Kelly. But the Mariners stormed back, tying the game in the ninth on a two-run blast by Dominic Canzone.
After the teams went scoreless in the 10th, Arizona loaded the bases in the 11th. Naylor, already with two hits on the night, stepped in and delivered the biggest swing of the game, a towering grand slam to left-center that sent the stadium into chaos.
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It’s been an up-and-down year for Naylor, but the month of June has seen him trending upward. He is currently batting .290 with eight home runs and 44 RBIs.
Also Read: MLB Rumors: Atlanta Braves Could Drop Veteran Slugger Before MLB Trade Deadline
