Julio Rodríguez makes MLB history with latest HR

Julio Rodríguez homered in the Seattle Mariners’ 5-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday to become the first player in major league history with at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in each of his first four seasons.

There is a reason why Josh Naylor is always so intense

Rodríguez’s historic blast came on a two-run shot in the third inning, when he sent a first-pitch slider from two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom over the right-center-field wall at T-Mobile Park for his 20th homer of the season.

It also was Rodríguez’s 100th career home run, which made him just the third player in MLB history with at least 100 homers and 100 steals over his first four seasons. The only other players to achieve that feat were Bobby Bonds (1968-71) and Darryl Strawberry (1983-86).

Later in the game, Rodríguez swiped second base for his 21st steal of the year and the 107th of his career.

At age 24, Rodríguez now already has more 20-20 seasons than any other player in Mariners franchise history. Alex Rodriguez achieved the feat three times with Seattle, while Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Cameron did so twice.

Rodríguez was already one of just two players in MLB history – along with Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. – to reach the 20-20 mark in each of his first three seasons. Witt needs just four more homers this year to join Rodríguez in opening with four straight 20-20 campaigns.

Rodríguez, a three-time All-Star, is once again heating up as the summer goes on. After batting .244 with 11 homers and a .687 OPS through his first 92 games, he’s hitting .289 with nine homers and a 1.000 OPS over his past 20 games.

For the season, Rodríguez is slashing .252/.308/.435 with 20 homers, three triples, 19 doubles, 21 steals and a .743 OPS.

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