Seattle Mariners: Julio Rodriguez doesn’t get mad, he gets even

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May 15, 2022
Seattle Mariners
Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners.

After a huge rookie mistake in the second, Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez could have sulked. Instead, he found ways to get even.

Seattle Mariners rookie sensation Julio Rodriguez showed up to this weekend’s series in Queens, New York as a hot hitter. In 19 games since May 11, he hit .329 with a .839 OPS, 6 extra base hits, 8 runs scored, and 9 RBI.

The Mets were ready. They held him hitless in Games 1 and 2 as Rodriguez went 0-for-7 with 3 strikeouts and 1 walk. His fortunes seemed to change on Sunday afternoon. In the second inning, with a one-out single off of NYM starter Carlos Carrasco.

The Gaffe

DH Mike Ford came up next. On a 1-0 pitch, J-Rod took off to steal second. Unfortunately, Carrasco jammed Ford, who popped out to right.

Instead of running back to first, Rodriguez slid head-first into second as Mets veteran shortstop Francisco Lindor faked a throw coming in. Fooled by no-throw, he took off for third, making it easy for right fielder Starling Marte to double him up at first and end the inning.

It was an embarrassing mistake for the 21-year-old. Instead of self-pity, the Seattle Mariners center fielder took out his frustration on Mets pitching.

Vengence

4th inning

J-Rod swung through a few pitches but worked out a six-pitch walk to load the bases. Two batters later, he scored to put the Seattle Mariners up 4-1.

6th inning

Give the Mets a little credit. They rallied in the bottom of the fourth to take a 5-4 lead. Lefty Chasen Shreve was on the hill as Rodriguez led off the inning. Once again, the rookie had a 3-2 count.

Shrieve wanted to come inside but left a fastball over the plate, which Rodrigues crushed. The 423-foot blast left the park at 114 miles per hour and tied the game at five. That might have been enough for most, but Rodriguez wasn’t done with the Mets.

7th inning

Jesse Winker led off the 7th with a one-out double. New York went into the shift in an effort to negate J-Rod’s natural pull to the right side. It was no problem as he went opposite field with a run-scoring single to increase the Seattle Mariners’ lead to 8-5.

9th inning

How about an encore? With two outs and one on base, Rodriguez grounded a single through the shift.

Final damage total

All totaled, Rodriquez went 4-for-4 on Sunday. He had 3 singles, 1 home run, 1 walk, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI. More than the output, his performance after his baserunning mistake showed maturity. It was a great way to settle a score.

Let this be a lesson to the rest of MLB. Embarrass Julio Rodriguez at your own risk. He’s more than ready to make those who cross him pay dearly, and where it counts most, the scoreboard.

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