After breaking out of a prolonged slump earlier in the week, Julio Rodriguez was set to bat cleanup for Saturday’s game against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. However, the Seattle Mariners’ 23-year-old star did not make a single plate appearance.
Rodriguez played center field in the top of the first inning but did not return for the second. Mariners manager Scott Servais revealed after the 5-4 loss that Rodriguez experienced tightness in the lower part of his right quadriceps and was scheduled for an MRI later in the day. This leaves his availability for Sunday afternoon’s series finale in Seattle uncertain.
“He came in this morning and felt fine,” Servais said about Rodriguez, who had already dealt with a jammed right thumb from making a catch on Thursday and fouled a ball off his left knee on Friday. “When he was out before the game and the guys were running sprints in the outfield, he felt something. It tightened up and didn’t feel great.”
In Rodriguez’s absence, Luke Raley moved from first base to center field, and Ty France, who was supposed to have the day off, stepped in at first base.
“You kind of have an idea going into the game how you’re going to use your bench, and when one of your main guys comes out like that, you’ve got to pivot quickly,” Servais said.
Blue Jays rookie right-hander Yariel Rodriguez pitched six scoreless innings of one-hit ball, earning his first major league victory.
“It means a lot to me,” the Cuban-born Rodriguez said through an interpreter. “A lot of sacrifices for us to be here in the big leagues. Getting that first win is an unbelievable feeling.”
Alejandro Kirk went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs for the Blue Jays, who won for just the fifth time in their past 18 games. Kirk, who is batting .214, had his second multi-hit game since May 29.
“Everyone knows he can control the zone, but I think just swinging with a little more intent is kind of the deal,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said of his catcher.
The Mariners, trailing 5-0, mounted a late rally. Mitch Haniger hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, and Raley added a solo shot in the ninth. Despite their efforts, Seattle has now won only five of their last seven games.
“We still have a chance to win the series tomorrow,” Servais said. “You’re looking to, hopefully, come out, and we just have to do more offensively that’s just where it’s at early in the ballgames. I give our guys credit; they didn’t quit. We were able to get some big hits there late to put pressure on them, but it’s going to take more than that.”
Sunday’s game will feature a matchup of right-handers: Toronto’s Jose Berrios (8-6, 3.63 ERA) and Seattle’s George Kirby (7-6, 3.32). Berrios, who has won his past two outings, is 4-2 with a 2.84 ERA against the Mariners in eight career starts, including a 5-2 win on April 8 in Toronto. Kirby, who went 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA in four June starts, suffered a 2-0 loss to visiting Baltimore on Tuesday and is 0-1 with a 7.56 ERA in two appearances against the Blue Jays. He was tagged for five runs on eight hits over four innings in a 5-3 loss in Toronto on April 9.
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