Video: Red-hot Julio torments Texas with another home run

Texas Rangers pitchers must be getting tired of seeing Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez step to the plate.

Video: Mariners in tough spot needing big help to make playoffs

Rodríguez continued to torment Texas on Saturday with a leadoff home run on the first pitch of the game from starter Dane Dunning, driving an 89 mph sinker on the outer part of the plate the opposite way for 363-foot blast.

Rodríguez added RBI single in the sixth and a two-run single in the ninth. He finished 4 for 6 with four RBIs as the Mariners won 8-4.

It was Rodríguez’s 19th home run of the season and leaves him one shy of his third straight season with at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases.

The two-time All-Star also homered twice Friday’s 8-2 victory over the Rangers and has homered in four of his past five games against the division rival.

Rodríguez has been a thorn in the side of Texas this season. He entered Saturday’s game slashing .364/.420/.796 with an eye-popping 1.216 OPS in 11 games against the Rangers. Seven of his 19 home runs this season have come against the team, including four in five games at Globe Life Field.

It also continues what’s been a red-hot September after a mostly disappointing season for the third-year center fielder. Rodríguez entered Saturday’s contest slashing .321/.352/.556 with five home runs and 13 RBIs in 18 September games.

The Mariners moved to 1 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the final AL wild-card berth and remained five games behind the Houston Astros for first place in the AL West.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Mariners Breakdown: An updated look at the playoff picture
• Mariners’ Dan Wilson: Julio apologized for baserunning gaffe
• Five Mariners prospects who raised stock with big seasons in minors
• Passan interested in future of Seattle Mariners’ ‘enigmatic’ Randy Arozarena

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