The Seattle Mariners have been on a roll lately, and it’s all thanks to the incredible performance of shortstop Edgar Rodriguez. On Tuesday night, Rodriguez put on a show for the ages, going a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, four RBIs, and three runs scored. His 17 total bases set a new franchise record, and his performance helped the Mariners to a 9-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
The win was especially crucial for the Mariners, as it moved them back into the American League playoff picture. They now sit just one game behind the Athletics for the final Wild Card spot, and with just a few weeks left in the regular season, they are in prime position to make a run at the postseason.
Rodriguez has been a key contributor for the Mariners all season long, but his performance on Tuesday night was truly special. He became just the third player in franchise history to record 17 or more total bases in a single game, joining Ken Griffey Jr. and Jay Buhner in that exclusive club. He also became the first player in MLB history to record five hits, two home runs, four RBIs, and three runs scored in a single game.
The Mariners will need more performances like this from Rodriguez if they hope to make the playoffs. They have been playing well as of late, but they will need to continue their winning ways if they want to make it to October. With Rodriguez leading the way, they certainly have a chance.
