Junior Caminero, Rays ready to rake against Mariners

On the lengthy list of players from the Dominican Republic who have starred in the major leagues, only three have hit 30 homers in their age 21 or younger season.

Albert Pujols hammered 37 long balls in 2001, and Juan Soto socked 34 in 2019.

"Two legends," the Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero said Wednesday after hitting two homers in a 5-4 victory against the host Los Angeles Angels to become the third member of that exclusive club.

"I'm just trying to play my game, and it brings me a lot of pride to hear that. It makes me really happy."

After a day off Thursday, Caminero and the Rays will open a three-game series Friday against the host Seattle Mariners.

Caminero, an All-Star third baseman, hit a two-run blast in the first inning on Wednesday and a solo shot in the third. The former was measured at 447 feet, the longest of his career.

"I'm impressed with everything Junior does," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "To be at his age, the quality of the at-bat that you get, the power that he shows, the defensive play ... he's doing a lot of things to help us win.

"Continue to be impressed with the work that he puts in and the really good results that he gets."

Teammate and fellow Dominican Christopher Morel, who hit the decisive home run in the seventh inning, seemed more excited by Caminero's night.

"More than just the two home runs, but also for him to get to 30 at that age and that quickly," Morel said. "I wanted to see him accomplish that. I'm very proud of him."

Caminero, who set a goal of 30 homers before the season began, has had to adjust his sights.

"Finish the season in good health," he said, "and get to the World Series."

The latter might be a long shot as, despite back-to-back victories, the Rays enter play Friday 4 1/2 games back in the American League wild-card chase, with three teams between Tampa Bay and the New York Yankees, who currently hold the final playoff berth.

The Mariners, who are in the AL's second wild-card spot, are 6-1 on their 10-game homestand. Dominic Canzone's one-out single in the 11th inning on Thursday lifted Seattle to a 4-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox.

Former Ray Randy Arozarena hit a two-run homer, his 23rd of the season, matching his career high.

"We talk about effort and pushing through until the end, and our guys did it again today," Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. "Incredible effort."

The victory might have come at a cost as first baseman Josh Naylor had to leave after three innings because of shoulder discomfort. Naylor, who had three homers and 10 steals over his first 13 games with the Mariners after being acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks, will be re-evaluated on Friday.

"Just a little bit of shoulder soreness," Wilson said. "We're going to get some answers here and monitor it and see where he's at. I think it's a day-to-day kind of thing."

Rays All-Star Drew Rasmussen (9-5, 2.81 ERA) is set to take the mound in the series opener against a fellow right-hander, the Mariners' Luis Castillo (8-6, 3.22).

Rasmussen won his past two starts, against the Yankees and the Dodgers. He allowed four hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings with no walks and six strikeouts on Saturday in a 4-0 victory against visiting Los Angeles.

Rasmussen, who was born in nearby Puyallup, Wash., is 2-0 with an 0.61 ERA in four career appearances against the Mariners, including three starts.

Castillo is 4-1 over his past six starts. His only no-decision in that span came Saturday against the visiting Texas Rangers, when he gave up two runs on four hits over 4 1/3 innings.

Castillo is 2-1 with a 3.30 ERA in five previous starts against Tampa Bay.