Julio Rodriguez powers the Mariners to a 9-5 win over the Nationals

Julio Breaks out of Slump in  what else but grand fashion

The Mariners were on a four-game side and desperately needed a win.  While early it’s early in the season, a four-game losing streak is a four-game losing streak which is not good for one’s confidence, team morale, and trust.  Not that the Marines were lacking any of the above. They were still atop the American League West and needed a spark to return to their winning ways.

BIG SPARK

That spark came via the  Mariners All-Star outfielder Julio Rodriguez. The power surge by Rodriguez was not by accident. After a slow start to the season, Rodriguez took extra bats, and stayed committed to being patient at the plate. The fruits of his labor are beginning to pay off. Before Saturday’s power surge, Julio had hit safely in seven consecutive games with a  452 batting average with six runs, two doubles, one home run, five runs batted in, and four stolen bases.

Saturday’s hit parade was a reminder to the league what  Rodriguez is capable of when he is in a groove. Rodriguez went 3-for-5 with a home run, 4 RBI and 2 stolen bases in the Mariner’s 9-5 win over the Nationals. For the season Julio is batting .313 (36×115) with a .790 OPS

 PITCHERS APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT

The Mariners’ pitching staff starting and bullpen has been the best in baseball and is a big reason the  Mariners lead the American  League West.  With the team’s bats heating up and providing run support for the pitching staff the  Mariners are becoming a complete team that is hard to beat

Saturday starting pitcher Brian Woo allowed three runs and  five hits in six innings and raised his ERA to 1.66  after throwing 20 of 24 first pitch strikes. As for the run support Woo said the Mariners are becoming a complete team.

“It’s huge to finish off the road trip on a bit better note,” Woo said. “Our clubhouse and everyone within it knows that our team is really, really good. It’s not just pitching, our offense is really good. We’ve got a lot of good bats, a lot of good guys. So it’ll come along.”

HOME SWEET HOME

The Mariners will now open a seven-game homestand with the first of the four games against the Houston Astros and the last three against the  Angels.

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