Julio Rodríguez Was Nearly Rung Up on Checked Swing Just Before Go-Ahead Homer

Rodríguez was ruled to have held off on a checked swing just ahead of his go-ahead home run in the third inning.

Julio Rodríguez checked his swing and apparently held off just ahead of his clutch third-inning homer / Screengrab via FOX Sports

Julio Rodríguez is doing his part for the Mariners in their winner-take-all Game 7 as Seattle plays for the franchise's first trip to the World Series.

To begin the American League Championship Series decider, he hit a leadoff double on the second pitch of the game to get in scoring position for Josh Naylor, who drove him in two batters later. That gave Seattle an early 1-0 lead, but the Blue Jays were able to tie the game in the bottom half of the first thanks to an RBI single from Daulton Varsho.

Rodríguez wasn't done, though, crushing a go-ahead solo home run in his next at-bat to take back the early lead. The ball sailed 423 feet over the left center field fence after a seven-pitch at bat.

JULIO HOMER 🔥

(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/OUmXDjB9Nz

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 21, 2025

In the clutch at-bat, he quickly got down 0-2 and was nearly called out on strikes on a checked swing down in the count. First base umpire Doug Eddings ruled that Rodríguez didn't go around, but the checked swing was insanely close and could have went either way:

Did he go around here? https://t.co/f1ne2lkg85 pic.twitter.com/H5QCvPA37M

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 21, 2025

Rodríguez took a second ball before fouling off two pitches ahead of the massive homer to break the 1-1 tie. He may have gotten away with one, but Eddings had to go with his gut which said Rodríguez held off. The call can't be taken back and it may prove to be critical in the decisive matchup for a trip to the World Series.

---

More MLB on Sports Illustrated

feed