Bruce clubs 300th career HR with 417-foot shot

SEATTLE -- Jay Bruce joined some exclusive company on Friday, becoming the eighth active Major Leaguer with 300 home runs and 300 doubles after he slugged a solo homer in the seventh inning of the Mariners’ 4-3 victory over the Angels at T-Mobile Park.

Bruce has 301 doubles and 300 homers in his 12-year career, including 11 doubles and 14 home runs this season in his first year with Seattle.

“If you’d have told me I’d hit my 300th homer playing first base for the Seattle Mariners, I’d probably have called you crazy,” said the 32-year-old outfielder who has split time at first as well this year. “But you take what you can get. There’s no rhyme or reason.

“I’ve been welcomed by a great group of guys here, guys that have made me part of this thing and I appreciate that and don’t take it for granted. You move around a lot. This is my fourth team now. It’s been an easy group of guys to transition with. It’s been good.”

Bruce didn’t have to look far to see some of the company he joined -- Mariners teammate Edwin Encarnación and Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols are also in the active 300-300 club, along with former Mariners standouts Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz, and Miguel Cabrera, Curtis Granderson and Ryan Braun.

“I don’t let myself take a lot of time to think about that kind of stuff,” Bruce said. “I’ll definitely look back and appreciate this moment for sure. I don’t take it for granted. I’m proud, but I tend to try to turn the page pretty quickly.”

Bruce’s 417-foot blast off Tyler Skaggs wound up standing as the game-winning run, as it gave Seattle a 4-2 lead. The three-time All-Star is hitting just .212 this season, but 25 of his 35 hits have gone for extra bases.

Bruce was acquired from the Mets this offseason as part of the Cano/Edwin Diaz deal on Dec. 3, and he's provided a veteran presence for the rebuilding Mariners, as well as a potent power bat. His 14 homers already are five more than he hit all last season in 94 games with the Mets while dealing with hip and plantar fasciitis issues.

Bruce was given a “beer shower” from his teammates postgame, a ritual normally reserved for players who achieve a Major League first hit or home run or victory.

“Honestly, there are a lot of firsts going on here this year, so there are a lot of beer showers,” Bruce said. “It’s good. It’s a lot of fun. I think this one actually is my first one ever.”

The Mariners appreciate what the veteran has provided to their rebuilding group.

“Three-hundred homers is hard to do,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “It’s a personal achievement and certainly Jay has been with a number of different teams, but it always helps when you win the ballgame and everybody is excited. Jay has been really good since he’s been here. Good teammate, and he’s taken a number of players under his wing. Even though he’s struggled at times, it’s good to see him get it going again. The home run has been there all year for him and it was there again tonight.”