How Julio Rodríguez impressed in the clutch in stunning M’s comeback

Randy Arozarena was the hero on Wednesday for the Seattle Mariners.

The left fielder belted the clutch two-out grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning that pulled the M’s within one run and breathed life into an offense that had been shut down through its first 23 outs. And in the ninth inning, it was Arozarena who worked the bases-loaded walk that plated the winning run.

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While Arozarena was the hero, it was what center fielder Julio Rodríguez did a few batters before the walk-off walk that encouraged Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.

With the bases loaded and one out with the Mariners trailing 6-4, Rodríguez fell behind 0-2 against standout Astros reliever Bryan Abreu. But the center fielder was able to stay on a 99 mph fastball just off the outside corner and line it to right field for a game-tying two-run double.

On Thursday, Brock and Salk discussed Rodríguez’s clutch base hit.

“You took advantage with Randy doing what Randy does, which is just show up in huge moments and make big things happen,” Mike Salk said to co-host Brock Huard. “And maybe even more importantly than that, it was Julio staying within himself, going the other way (on an) 0-2 pitch. All the things that, Brock, you and everybody else clamored for Julio to do, he did it in that huge moment.”

The double put an end to an unwanted streak for Rodríguez, who was hitless through his first 10 at-bats with runners in scoring position this season. The AB also showed an ability to adjust. Rodríguez faced Abreu in a big situation with runners on second and third and one out with the M’s trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning on Monday. Abreu was able to strike out Rodríguez swinging on a 99 mph fastball at the top of the zone.

“I don’t know if that was the biggest hit of Julio’s career – I think that would probably be an exaggeration. But it has to be on the list, especially given all of the times he’s faltered in some big moments, and the way he did it without needing to hit a pull-side home run to left field,” Salk said. “He did it by going the other way and lacing a double to right. That should be the Julio experience.”

Julio Rodriguez speaks to @shannondrayer following the #Mariners walk-off win in the series finale vs the Houston Astros. 🔱

Complete coverage @ https://t.co/gJbsLnUY4X. pic.twitter.com/CY2aNrwcUH

— Seattle Sports (@SeattleSports) April 9, 2025

Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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