The Seattle Mariners have soared up the MLB standings of late. The sizzling hot streak from star outfielder Julio Rodriguez is a massive reason why.
Rodriguez has been absolutely mashing the baseball in the month of August. The 22-year-old has slashed .429/.474/.724 through 23 games in August. He’s also recorded 30 RBI and hit seven home runs in that span — including home runs in three consecutive games.
On Monday, Rodriguez became the youngest Mariners player since Ken Griffey Jr. to record a home run in three straight contests. A 21-year-old Griffey accomplished the feat in 1991 during a three-game series in August. Fittingly enough, both Mariners sluggers achieved the feat against the Oakland Athletics.
Thanks to Rodriguez’s late-season surge, the Mariners have gone 20-4 over their last 24 contests. Their winning ways have propelled them to first in the AL West through Monday’s slate of games. Seattle sits a game above both the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. It’s the latest in the season the Mariners have led their division in over two decades.
Griffey’s home run hot streak in 1991 did help push the Mariners’ record to 62-53 at the time. However, Seattle was unable to make the postseason that year, finishing the season just a few games over .500.
Mariners fans are surely hoping the team can parlay Rodriguez’s hot streak into another postseason run.
More must-reads: