Julio Rodríguez ended his streak without an extra-base hit on April 12, delivering a double and a home run during the Seattle Mariners’ 8-7 walk-off victory against the Houston Astros.
Rodríguez’s performance came after starting the season with 61 plate appearances without reaching beyond first base. His turnaround included a game-tying home run in the fifth inning, helping to reverse a stretch where Houston had scored seven consecutive runs.
J.P. Crawford, who secured the win for Seattle, said, “Julio went right-center, and I mean, that’s not an easy place to hit a home run. So to see him doing that’s a good sign.” Despite this breakout game, Rodríguez’s on-base plus slugging percentage remained low compared to other hitters early in the season. Historically, he has started slowly each year but said he is unfazed by criticism.
“I’ve seen so many things online, man,” Rodríguez said. “People just talk so much. It’s hilarious. The funniest thing I saw, honestly, was about the bat speed: ‘Oh, the Mariners are swinging slower.’ It’s like, we’re not trying to swing slower. It’s just cold … in Seattle.”
Rodríguez noted that weather conditions at home games may have affected hitting statistics but pointed out that his own bat speed remains among league leaders according to Statcast data. He added that critics often misunderstand how baseball seasons unfold: “It’s hilarious just to see so many people just trying to find answers… For the people that actually watch all 162 games… eventually, the results will be there.”
Reflecting on playoff expectations after narrowly missing postseason play in previous years and facing high hopes for this season’s team performance, Rodríguez emphasized patience and preparation: “We can’t get into the playoffs with [15] games played… It’s how you navigate the ups and downs… Prepare every day… The results eventually will show.”
Rodríguez concluded by expressing confidence in his approach: “I know I prepare myself. I know I put the work in. I know I’m not cutting corners anywhere. That’s why I’m always so confident that things are going to show.”
