Julio Rodriguez needed a game like this.
During a tough stretch for the Seattle Mariners (48-41), where they dropped 10 of their last 14 games, all eyes were on the struggling Julio Rodriguez. The two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger had been batting just .244 with a .296 on-base percentage, .336 slugging percentage, and a .632 OPS. However, both he and his team snapped out of their funk on Independence Day.
The Mariners avoided a sweep at T-Mobile Park against the Baltimore Orioles (55-32) on Thursday, overcoming an early 2-0 deficit and scoring five runs in the seventh inning to secure a 7-3 victory. Rodriguez blasted a solo 428-foot home run in the fifth and then sparked the scoring spree with a lead-off double, a stolen base, and a galvanizing display of emotion. After recording only three hits in his last 37 at-bats entering the series finale, Rodriguez desperately needed this bounce-back performance.
Rodriguez Reflects on Tough Times
Despite the struggles, Rodriguez is not lamenting the rough period. On the contrary, the 23-year-old center fielder is grateful for the lessons learned during this rocky campaign.
“Sometimes, you’ve got to go through tough stretches to wake the hell up,” Rodriguez said, according to MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer. “If I start crying or complaining or beating myself up for what’s happened, I’m not going to take full advantage of the moment I have now. So that’s just what I went out there and did today… just going out there, and competing my [butt] off.”
Looking Ahead
The 2022 American League Rookie of the Year is focusing on the future as he and the Mariners aim to meet their high expectations for the 2024 season. This Fourth of July triumph could be the catalyst for the team to reach its top form.
Mariners Must Lean on Julio Rodriguez
Although president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto made several roster changes this past offseason, many fans remained skeptical about Seattle’s offense. A lack of reliable bats has once again placed a heavy burden on the starting pitching rotation to keep the Mariners in playoff contention. This uneven foundation was bound to crack, but Rodriguez is expected to minimize the damage.
Unfortunately, Rodriguez has been a significant part of the Mariners’ offensive woes, which have allowed the Houston Astros to close within two games of first place in the AL West. The pressure on him to consistently produce is substantial, as the organization has not surrounded him with enough quality contributors. If Rodriguez goes through a slump, it is likely that Seattle will suffer as well.
Superstars can alter the trajectory of a franchise, but they cannot single-handedly lead a team to October. The Los Angeles Angels proved this over the past decade. However, a productive Rodriguez could be the difference between a momentous playoff run and another agonizing end to the regular season.
The Stakes
The Mariners and their fans have waited far too long to squander an opportunity to win a divisional crown, which would be their first in 23 years. Rodriguez knows what is at stake, and he has the ability and intangibles to reclaim his mojo, just as he did in the second half of last season.
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