Julio Rodríguez hits home run, drives in 4 in Mariners win

ARLINGTON — When the Mariners woke up Saturday morning, they were prepared to go up against Max Scherzer for the second time in seven days. However, four hours before the first pitch, Seattle learned it was a familiar foe taking the mound in Dane Dunning. The change didn’t affect the Mariners’ winning ways in 2024 against Texas. It was another day at the park for Seattle’s offense against the Rangers’ pitching staff, and they made the most of it in an 8-4 win.

It especially didn’t affect Julio Rodríguez, who took all of one pitch to spark the Mariners Saturday night. He lined a Dunning sinker toward the opposite field to put Seattle up 1-0 before most of the fans in Arlington could sit down.

Rodríguez, who went 4-for-6 with four RBIs on the night, continued his reign against the Rangers. In the past six games against Texas (ranging nine days), the Mariners’ center fielder has gone 14-for-28 with five home runs, three walks, a double and 14 RBIs.

The Mariners gained another game on the Royals in the AL Wild Card race while keeping pace with the Tigers, who won at Baltimore. Seattle gained a half-game on the Twins, who were rained out at Boston. Seattle is 1 1/2 games back with seven remaining on the schedule.