Julio Rodriguez: a bet, flip-flops and a missile in Houston 
Daikin Park played host to a surreal scene Monday night. Before the first pitch of the Mariners-Astros game, Julio Rodriguez was already putting on a show in batting practice. After a Houston fan bet his shoes that the Seattle star could not hit a specific target — a Lexus ad in left field — “J-Rod” took the dare and delivered on his first swing. The fan had to make good on the wager and tossed his flip-flops onto the field as the team laughed along.
From batting practice to the real thing: Julio’s 414-foot blast
The little accuracy contest had an immediate effect a few hours later. In the third inning, Rodriguez launched a 414-foot rocket into the same area, narrowly missing the train tracks above left field. The solo shot, his seventh of the season, helped set Seattle on the way to a 3-1 win. For the Mariners, it was a neat bit of history: their eighth straight victory over a division rival, their best run since the Astros joined the AL West in 2013.
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A bond with the crowd and Edgar Martinez
After making the fan climb the stadium steps to “get back” his sandals — a harmless little punishment — Julio handed the shoes back and posed for a photo with him before the game. The easygoing act sits alongside some serious work under the watchful eye of legend Edgar Martinez. Rodriguez, who has often been questioned for slow starts over the past four years, looks to have found his stride much earlier in 2026. With a line of .277/.341/.452, he is already back at elite level.
Seattle keeps rolling over Houston
The Mariners are still searching for consistency with a 20-22 record, but they seem to have found a sweet spot against Houston. Manager Dan Wilson nearly challenged another possible Julio homer early in the game, only for the ball to just stay fair. It didn’t matter. Rodriguez’s power and a sharp bullpen were enough to silence the Astros. Seattle leaves Texas with the job done and a tidy clubhouse story involving a pair of flip-flops.
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