It had been 67 days since Jarred Kelenic -- MLB Pipeline’s No. 4-ranked prospect -- last hit a home run for the Mariners.

In that time since, he’d endured a trip down to Triple-A Tacoma, a post-All-Star Game callup and another tough stretch without a hit.

But with one swing of the bat in Friday’s 9-5 series opening win over the Rangers at Globe Life Field, Kelenic quickly reminded fans of his potential as he clobbered a three-run moonshot as part of a 2-for-5, four RBI night.

“It was great,” Kelenic said. “It was a pitch left over the middle of the plate. [I] put a great swing on it, and it left the yard.”

While the Mariners entered Friday’s game having made no traditional blockbuster deals before the end of Trade Deadline -- instead having upgraded their team in areas of need -- perhaps the biggest upgrade lying in wake may be the bat of Kelenic.

And as the team continues to insert itself into the conversation for an AL Wild Card slot, Kelenic’s bat may prove to be the difference-maker down the stretch.

“We're gonna need contributions from everybody to stay in this race,” manager Scott Servais said. “And it’s gonna have to come from all different parts of the lineup, and you never know what night what guy is going to click, and tonight was his night. It was great to see, and, hopefully, it continues.”

Kelenic’s single, homer and RBI forceout helped back rookie Logan Gilbert’s fifth win of the season as he twirled 5 2/3 innings of four-run ball, striking out six, including all the top of the Rangers’ order in the first frame.

The Mariners offense’s ability to jump out ahead early through a four-run second inning and a three-run third inning allowed Gilbert to work freely.

“It really helps, especially early in the game like that,” said Gilbert of pitching with an early lead. “[The] first few innings, [I] did a better job just going out there, trying to get ahead and have some quick innings, so huge shoutout to the offense for putting on the runs that they did, the hits that they did -- it made it a lot easier for me.”

Seattle is now 11-2 in Gilbert’s first 13 starts, having now rattled off 11 straight wins since May 25. It also represents a bounceback for the right-hander after he previously lasted just 2 2/3 innings in his last start due to a high pitch count.

His biggest blemish: a pair of solo home runs in the sixth inning that knocked him out of the game.

“It wasn't one of my best outings by any means, but when the offense shows up like that, the defense making good plays behind you -- everything came together and we got the win, so that’s what matters.”

Seattle’s bullpen closed out the final 3 1/3 frames, allowing just one run as Diego Castillo, in his Mariners debut, closed out the ninth inning to maintain his pristine July ERA.

Nonetheless, the moment of the night belonged to Kelenic, who’s seeing positive results from his modified upright stance which allows him to see pitches better and work his hands.

It continues a trend forward for the 22-year-old, who enjoyed a 2-for-4 night on Tuesday and a defensive gem to boot.

“I'm just trying to stay positive and continue to work my tail off,” Kelenic said. “That's something that I can control, and I have always been someone that works extremely, extremely hard and that's never changed.

“The results aren’t exactly what I would want them to be, but tonight they were, so I'm going to live off of today, and hopefully, bring it into tomorrow and the next day and the next day. So for me, right now, it's just letting days cycle over.”