TAMPA, Florida. – Dominican Junior Caminero once again showed why he is one of the great sensations of Major League Baseball. The Rays of Tampa Bay's third baseman hit his 40th home run of the season and then added a decisive two-run double that led him to reach 100 RBIs in 2025, leading his team to a 6-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
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With just
22 years and 85 days, Caminero became the
second player in franchise history with 40 home runs in a season, joining the Dominican Carlos Peña (46 in 2007). In addition, he became the
seventh Rays player with a 100-RBI season, something that hadn't happened since Austin Meadows in 2021.
The young slugger made his power felt at key moments: in the sixth inning he tied the game with a home run against Bryan Woo, and in the seventh he broke the 4-4 tie with a run-scoring double against the left-hander Gabe Speier. That connection not only gave Tampa Bay the definitive lead, but also confirmed the stellar level he has displayed in his first full year in MLB.
“We are talking about something that is not seen every day:
40 and 100 in the same season with only 22 years old. It's really impressive”, highlighted the Rays manager,
Kevin Cash.
Caminero, who celebrated the milestone by raising four fingers towards the dugout, said he will dedicate the ball from his historic home run to his future daughter Valentina, whom he is expecting with his wife Francesca.
“When she grows up, that ball will be hers,” he stated excitedly.
According to data from
Elias Sports Bureau, Caminero is only the
fourth youngest player in Major League history with a season of 40 or more home runs, behind Mel Ott, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Eddie Mathews.
Amidst their offensive explosion, the Rays also showed character in closing the game. The bullpen held Seattle in critical situations, with Garrett Cleavinger sealing the victory despite entering with the bases loaded and no outs in the ninth inning.
With this triumph, Tampa Bay reached the
69-69 mark, returning to .500 for the first time since July 29, and remains in full contention for a Wild Card spot in the American League.
"He's a special player, someone who changes the course of a game with a swing," said starter
Drew Rasmussen.
"Playing alongside him is a blessing." 
Spanish
