Watch: Julio slams Mariners past White Sox in series opener

The Seattle Mariners’ offense was quiet for the majority of Monday’s series opener against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field.

They put an end to that in the eighth inning, with Julio Rodríguez being the loudest of the bunch.

Recap: Luis Castillo dominates as Mariners beat White Sox 5-1

Rodríguez hit a grand slam off of White Sox reliever and Fife High School product Cam Booser with one out in the eighth, bringing home 80% of Seattle’s runs in a 5-1 victory.

Watch Rodríguez’s grand salami in the video below.

It wasn’t the biggest home run of the year for Rodríguez in terms of speed and distance, but it was one of the more impressive considering the wind coming in from left field potentially stole a few other homers – particularly from White Sox hitters – on the night.

The homer, which was Rodríguez’s eighth of the year, traveled 365 feet with an exit velocity of 98.9 mph off of an 88 mph cutter by the left-handed Booser. Rodríguez has certainly liked facing southpaws this year, with half of his homers coming against lefty pitchers even though he’s faced righties roughly three times as often.

White Sox starter Davis Martin held the Mariners to just one run on three hits and a walk over the first seven innings, but the M’s struck for two hits and a walk with one out in the eighth to load the bases ahead of Rodríguez’s blast.

The AL West-leading Mariners (27-19) won their fourth game out of four thus far on their current road trip, riding a strong performance by Luis Castillo on the mound against Chicago. The veteran right-hander struck out five over seven scoreless innings, limiting the White Sox to just three hits and no walks.

Game 2 of the Mariners’ series in Chicago is set for 4:40 p.m. Tuesday, but keep a close eye on SeattleSports.com for updates as it is expected to be a rainy day in the Windy City that could result in a postponement. The Mariners are set to begin a four-game series at Houston on Thursday, so a doubleheader Wednesday could be on the table in Chicago.

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• Drayer on Mariners: How pitching dominated Padres; Brash’s new weapon
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