SEATTLE -- In case there was any doubt, Nelson Cruz is now officially hot.
The Mariners' designated hitter ripped a two-run homer in the third inning against the Angels in Wednesday afternoon's 8-6 win at Safeco Field, giving him five home runs in his last five games and six in his last eight.
After overcoming a slow start and some injury issues, the sudden surge lifts Cruz's season total to 16 homers with 38 RBIs. Cruz has the most home runs of any player in the Majors since 2014, with 182.
His latest blast came off Angels right-hander Noe Ramirez, who replaced injured starter Garrett Richards in the third inning and provided Seattle a 4-1 lead as the AL West-leading Mariners push for a series sweep.
Statcast™ projected the shot at 436 feet with an exit velocity of 111 mph, landing above the out-of-town scoreboard in left-center field.