Julio Rodríguez homers in Mariners’ series win over Rays

SEATTLE — Julio Rodríguez did something on Wednesday afternoon that has become increasingly infrequent within a frustrating season to the point where the feat has reached rare territory.

With one big swing in the fifth inning, Rodríguez helped lift Seattle to a 6-2 victory over Tampa Bay at T-Mobile Park. With it, he also showed what the Mariners have been missing for most of the year — and just how different the dynamic of their entire lineup can be if their most talented player can tap into more power down the stretch.

Rodríguez’s two-run blast — which followed a two-run shot in the same inning from Victor Robles — was his first since July 20, one day before he suffered a high right ankle sprain that sidelined him for three weeks.

Whether he’ll say it or not, there’s likely been a correlation between Rodríguez’s lack of production in 15 games since returning from the injured list and lingering pain in the area that prevented him from returning to center field until Friday.

Rodríguez entered Wednesday’s three-game finale vs. the Rays — which yielded the Mariners’ second straight series win — with a .222 slugging percentage and just three RBIs since his return. Yet, even including his hot streak in July before the injury, Rodríguez hasn’t come close to matching the elite power he flashed during his electric first two seasons.