Home MLB MLB Game: Recap Rodriguez Makes MLB History as Mariners Edge Rangers 5-4

MLB Game: Recap Rodriguez Makes MLB History as Mariners Edge Rangers 5-4

August 3, 2025
MLB, Team Coverage

SEATTLE (August 3, 2o25)— Julio Rodríguez carved his name deeper into the record books on Sunday afternoon, blasting his 100th career home run and becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to notch 20 or more home runs and 20 or more stolen bases in each of his first four seasons. His milestone moment powered the Seattle Mariners to a 5-4 victory over the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park.

Rodríguez’s two-run homer in the third inning electrified the home crowd and gave Seattle an early cushion against Texas ace Jacob deGrom. The Mariners center fielder wasn’t done there — he added a single in the fifth and promptly swiped his 21st base of the season, underscoring the rare blend of power and speed that has quickly made him one of the league’s brightest stars.

“I’ve just tried to play my game every single day,” Rodríguez said postgame. “The milestones are cool, but most importantly we got the win.”

A Power Display from Seattle

Rodríguez wasn’t the only Mariner flexing his muscle. Jorge Polanco set the tone in the second inning with a solo home run, and J.P. Crawford extended the lead in the fourth, drilling a two-run shot off deGrom to put Seattle ahead 5-2.

For deGrom, who entered the game chasing history of his own, the long ball proved costly. Despite striking out nine over six innings, the veteran right-hander (10-4) was tagged for all five runs, including three homers. Still, he made headlines by becoming the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach 1,800 career strikeouts, accomplishing the feat in fewer games and innings than any hurler before him.

“Records are nice, but wins are better,” deGrom said afterward. “Today they got a few pitches up, and good hitters make you pay for those mistakes.”

Rangers Battle Back

Despite the early deficit, the Rangers clawed back into contention. Rookie Wyatt Langford opened the scoring in the third with an RBI single before Rodríguez’s homer put Seattle back on top. Texas then chipped away with a two-run rally in the fifth, highlighted by Adolis García’s RBI double that cut the lead to 5-4.

Seattle starter Logan Evans (5-4) allowed three runs on seven hits across 5 2/3 innings, keeping the Mariners just ahead. The bullpen combination of Gabe Speier and Trent Thornton held the line, and closer Andrés Muñoz sealed the win with a clean ninth inning for his 25th save of the season.

Muñoz credited Rodríguez’s performance for setting the tone. “Julio just brings so much energy to this team,” the closer said. “When he’s rolling, it lifts all of us.”

Key Moment in the Ninth

The Rangers nearly mounted a final rally. With one out in the ninth, Joc Pederson reached on a single and gave way to pinch-runner Sam Haggerty. Texas manager Bruce Bochy called for aggression, sending Haggerty to second as Langford dug into the batter’s box.

Initially ruled safe, Haggerty was overturned on replay review after a lightning-quick tag from Crawford. The call proved pivotal, as Langford struck out swinging moments later to end the game.

“That was the game right there,” Bochy admitted. “We thought we had it, but credit to them for making a perfect play.”

What’s Next

The victory kept Seattle firmly in the thick of the American League playoff picture, while the Rangers, battling to climb above .500, were left ruing missed opportunities. The Mariners now turn their attention to a midweek series against the division-rival Houston Astros, while Texas heads home to open a set with the Los Angeles Angels.

For Seattle, the day belonged to Rodríguez — a 23-year-old phenom who continues to redefine the modern power-speed star.

“He’s a special player,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “And the crazy thing is, I don’t think we’ve seen his ceiling yet.”