Seattle, Washington — One swing was enough for Julio Rodríguez to write his name in Major League history. The 24-year-old Dominican hit his 100th home run on Sunday in the Seattle Mariners‘ 5-4 victory over the Texas Rangers, also achieving an unprecedented milestone in baseball.
In the third inning, Rodríguez sent a slider from Jacob deGrom —who, one inning earlier, had reached 1,800 strikeouts in his career faster than anyone— between right and center field. With 20 stolen bases already this season, the hit made him the first player in MLB history to start his career with four consecutive seasons achieving a 20-20 (20 home runs and 20 steals).
Rodríguez is also the third player to achieve 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases in his first four seasons, joining Bobby Bonds and Darryl Strawberry. He is also the 17th player to reach a hundred home runs wearing the Mariners’ jersey.
Julio Rodríguez – only player in MLB history with 20+ HR, 20+ SB in first 4 seasons.pic.twitter.com/5u6puWlA5k
The center fielder not only shone with the bat: he made a spectacular catch on a hit by Josh Smith at 103.6 mph to preserve Seattle’s lead and added his 21st stolen base after a single in the fifth inning.
With this victory, the Mariners won the four-game series against Texas, extending their lead in the American League Wild Card to two games over the Rangers and remaining 2.5 games behind the Houston Astros in the fight for the West.
In the third inning, Rodríguez sent a slider from Jacob deGrom —who, one inning earlier, had reached 1,800 strikeouts in his career faster than anyone— between right and center field. With 20 stolen bases already this season, the hit made him the first player in MLB history to start his career with four consecutive seasons achieving a 20-20 (20 home runs and 20 steals).
Rodríguez is also the third player to achieve 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases in his first four seasons, joining Bobby Bonds and Darryl Strawberry. He is also the 17th player to reach a hundred home runs wearing the Mariners’ jersey.
