Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners clinched the series against the Texas Rangers on Sunday.
Mariners Star Julio Rodriguez Made MLB History on Sunday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Julio Rodríguez has emerged as one of Major League Baseball’s brightest young stars since debuting in 2022. The Seattle Mariners center fielder won AL Rookie of the Year that season and has since remained a central figure in the team’s lineup, combining elite power, speed, and defensive ability. Now in his fourth year, Rodríguez continues to lead the Mariners’ playoff push while routinely making highlight-reel plays on both sides of the ball.
Throughout the course of his career, Rodríguez has continued to stack up individual honors, including three MLB All-Star appearances and two Silver Slugger awards. And on Sunday, the 23-year-old added to his growing list of accolades.
Julio Rodríguez Makes MLB History in Mariners Win
In Seattle’s 5-4 win over the Texas Rangers, Rodríguez launched a third-inning homer, his 20th of the season, off Texas starter Jacob deGrom to extend Seattle’s early lead. The home run sealed a personal achievement that no player before him had reached—becoming the first player in MLB history to open his career with four straight 20-homer, 20-stolen base seasons.
It was also the 100th of his career, adding another milestone to an already impressive résumé.
100 career home runs
— MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2025
First player EVER to begin his career with four straight 20 HR/20 SB seasons
The J-Rod Show, indeed! 😤 🔱 https://t.co/DTypnr3t1tpic.twitter.com/zrZ4dxCyKn
In addition, Rodríguez now joins Bobby Bonds and Darryl Strawberry as the only MLB players to record 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases within their first four seasons. Beyond the homer, Rodríguez also finished the game with two hits and two RBI, helping rookie starter Logan Evans secure a victory in his first career start.
Mariners Remain in the MLB Playoff Mix
With Sunday’s win, the Mariners improved to 60-53 and sit second in the American League West. They’ve now won five of their last seven games and have taken 10 of 13 meetings with the Rangers this season. That head-to-head advantage could prove critical in a tight playoff race where every series matters.
Seattle’s offense is showing signs of clicking at the right time. Cal Raleigh has already crossed the 40-home run mark this year, while Eugenio Suárez has added depth to the infield and delivered key hits in recent weeks. The team’s pitching remains steady, and with Rodríguez healthy and producing, Seattle appears well-positioned to make a strong second-half run.
Here’s how things stand in the AL West after Sunday’s action:
- Houston Astros (62-50)
- Seattle Mariners (60-53)
- Texas Rangers (58-55)
- Los Angeles Angels (54-58)
- The Athletics (49-65)
The Mariners will look to build on their momentum on Tuesday when they open a home series against the struggling Chicago White Sox. For Seattle, winning the series will undoubtedly be another box ticked as they aim to return to the playoffs this year.
Related: Aaron Boone Had Three Words After Yankees’ Third Straight Loss
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
