Julio Rodríguez answers fan batting practice challenge, then homers in game Julio Rodríguez delivered an impressive display during batting practice on Monday evening at Daikin Park, drawing attention from spectators with his powerful swings. The performance was not just a showcase of his hitting ability but also a direct response to a wager made by an Astros fan. The fan, who had been heckling during the session, challenged Rodríguez to hit the ball with such precision that it would land near a Lexus sign in the field. Rodríguez obliged, hitting the ball squarely onto the sign, and immediately demanded the fan’s shoes as a reward. The fan, amused by the challenge, complied by tossing his footwear toward the playing surface. The interaction carried over into the game, where Rodríguez continued to impress. In the third inning, he launched a 414-foot solo home run off Houston’s Peter Lambert. The ball nearly reached the train tracks beyond left field, contributing to Seattle’s 3-1 victory. This win marked the Mariners’ eighth consecutive win against division rivals, their longest such streak since the Astros joined the American League West in 2013. Rodríguez’s home run was his seventh of the season, one short of teammate Luke Raley’s team-leading total. Rodríguez described his approach to batting practice as a way to focus on timing and control rather than rushing his swing. “What I really like is to just feel like I’m driving the ball—on time, behind it, not really rushing my swing,” he said. “It’s kind of like thinking a little bit more. Try to have more thoughtful swings.” This mindset helped him execute both the BP challenge and the game-winning home run. The fan’s flip-flops, which he had to surrender, became a lighthearted moment during the game.#daikin_park #julio_rodriguez #mariners #peter_lambert #astros_fan
