The Seattle Mariners certainly hope Julio Rodríguez set the tone for their pivotal three-game showdown with the Houston Astros.

How Seattle Mariners, Astros match up on mound for key series

Just three batters into the first game of a massive clash that could end up deciding the American League West, Rodríguez took one of the league’s best pitchers yard to give the Mariners an early lead Friday night.

Rodríguez crushed a sinker from Astros ace Hunter Brown into Crawford Boxes in left field for a two-out, solo home run and 1-0 lead.

The home run traveled 366 feet and came of the bat at 97.6 mph, not necessarily eye-popping numbers for Rodríguez. But what was most impressive about the home run was where the pitch was located, well off the plate inside at 96.5 mph.

It was just the fourth

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