When you're hot, you're hot. And Julio Rodriguez is historically hot.
With the line-drive single Rodriguez roped to left field in the top of the eighth inning tonight, the Mariners' centerfielder broke a 98-year-old record by recording his 17th hit in four games. The record had been held by Milt Stock, who had 16 in 1925 for the Brooklyn Robins.
Rodriguez's streak started with going for 4-for-6 against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Then a perfect 5-for-5 the next night, 4-for-5 on Friday against Houston, and 4-for-6 Saturday.
Maybe the most impressive part? Rodriguez is only 22.
The native of the Dominican Republic made his MLB debut last season and immediately established himself as a player to watch, making the All-Star Game and winning AL Rookie of the Year.
The Mariners signed Rodriguez to a 12-year contract last August that is worth a guaranteed $209.3 million.
He was batting respectably coming into his streak, slashing .256/.319/.432, but he's seen that balloon to .278/.337/.463 while also pumping in eight RBIs, two home runs and five stolen in these four consecutive Mariners wins as Seattle has roared into a playoff position after looking like they might throw in the towel at the trade deadline.
Rodriguez and his Mariners will look for their sixth straight win and a series sweep of the Astros, who are currently two games ahead of the Mariners in the AL West, when they meet again Sunday.
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