Watch: Julio starts key Astros series off with a bang

The Seattle Mariners certainly hope Julio Rodríguez set the tone for their pivotal three-game showdown with the Houston Astros.

How Seattle Mariners, Astros match up on mound for key series

Just three batters into the first game of a massive clash that could end up deciding the American League West, Rodríguez took one of the league’s best pitchers yard to give the Mariners an early lead Friday night.

Rodríguez crushed a sinker from Astros ace Hunter Brown into Crawford Boxes in left field for a two-out, solo home run and 1-0 lead.

The home run traveled 366 feet and came of the bat at 97.6 mph, not necessarily eye-popping numbers for Rodríguez. But what was most impressive about the home run was where the pitch was located, well off the plate inside at 96.5 mph.

It was just the fourth home run Brown has allowed in 11 starts since July 20. Brown entered Friday with baseball’s third-best ERA at 2.27.

Rodríguez’s blast was his 31st of the season. He is one off his career high of 32 set in 2023. Rodríguez also needs just three more stolen bases for second 30/30 season.

The Mariners and Astros entered Friday’s game tied for first place in the AL West and one game behind the Detroit Tigers for the AL’s No. 2 seed in the playoffs. The winner of the series will also claim the season series, which is tied 5-5.

Radio coverage of Friday night’s game can be heard here.

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