Seattle Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco has recently made strides in his hitting after struggling with an oblique issue that had previously confined him to hitting only from the left side of the plate. On Friday night during the Mariners’ 7-2 victory against the Cleveland Guardians, Polanco showcased his versatility by hitting his first right-handed home run of the season.
In the seventh inning, Polanco hit a powerful double into left field at an impressive 107.8 mph off lefty reliever Tim Herrin, igniting a four-run rally for the Mariners. He followed this up with a solo home run in the eighth inning, turning on a cutter from Kolby Allard and sending the ball over the left-field wall. This marked Polanco’s 11th home run of the season, with the previous ten all coming from the left side.
After a rocky patch where he batted .115 over 24 games, Polanco has rebounded with an impressive eight-game hitting streak, during which he has batted .324. This return to form follows a phenomenal start to the season, where he hit .395 with nine homers and five doubles in his first 24 games.
The Mariners displayed a potent offense on Friday night, tallying 16 hits—tying for their second-highest total this season. Polanco was one of seven players to achieve multiple hits in the game, a feat the team had not accomplished since May 2018.
As Polanco continues to regain his form, his contributions could be vital for the Mariners as they look to improve their standing in the league. The team’s ability to support one another during this pivotal stretch will be important.
Positive outlook: Polanco’s resurgence could serve as a turning point for both him and the Mariners as they aim to build on this momentum.