PHILADELPHIA - Tampa Bay Rays All-Star third baseman Junior Caminero blasted his 42nd home run of the season Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park, a two-run shot off Aaron Nola in the first inning that pushed him to 101 RBIs and made him only the ninth player since 1920 to record multiple 40-homer, 100-RBI seasons within his first four MLB campaigns.

The homer powered Tampa Bay to a 12-1 rout of the Phillies, the Rays’ 98th win of the season and their 15th victory in the past 21 games. Caminero, who hit 45 homers and drove in 110 runs in 154 games last year before a back issue slowed him in September, has been healthier and more consistent in his second full season.

“We were looking for another season with 100 RBIs. Thank God we complete[d it]. Very happy,” Caminero said.

Manager Kevin Cash credited an aggressive offseason program for the difference. “I think he went into the offseason maybe feeling that and saying, ‘I’m going to do everything I can not to allow that to happen again,’” Cash said. “A ton of offseason work, and then he’s been able to maintain it this year with getting in a really good routine.”

Caminero is tied with Yordan Alvarez for the second-most home runs in the American League, trailing only Pete Alonso, and ranks third in RBIs behind Alonso (113) and Alvarez (105). His two 40-homer, 100-RBI seasons place him alongside Ralph Kiner (three such seasons from 1947-49), Eddie Mathews (three from 1953-55), Chuck Klein (1929-30), Troy Glaus (2000-01), Albert Pujols (2003-04), Ryan Howard (2006-07), Nolan Arenado (2015-16) and Alonso (2019 and 2022) in that exclusive company. The Rays have had only three 40-homer, 100-RBI seasons in franchise history: Carlos Peña’s 2007 campaign and each of Caminero’s two full seasons.

Left fielder Chandler Simpson said Caminero’s durability defines his value. “The fact that he’s able to play a premium position at third base, and he wants to play every day – I mean, the makeup of a true superstar,” Simpson said. “He’s been that and more for us this year.”

Veteran starter Nick Martinez echoed that assessment, pointing to the way Caminero’s daily presence sets the tone for a roster that has played through injuries. “It’s amazing. What a feat. The best teams have guys that post. They play,” Martinez said. “And Junior, he’s been posting for us. He’s been out there every single game and fighting for it. He takes a lot of pride in playing every single game, and that sets a culture, right?”

If Caminero starts Sunday’s regular-season finale as expected, he will become the fourth player in MLB’s divisional era – since 1969 – to start 162 games at third base in a single season, joining Vinny Castilla (1998 Rockies), Cal Ripken Jr. (1997 Orioles) and Sal Bando (1969 A’s). He would also become only the fourth player in Rays franchise history to appear in all 162 games, alongside Evan Longoria (2014), Delmon Young (2007) and Aubrey Huff (2003).

“I’m very happy to play 162 this year, and that means a lot because we stayed healthy all year,” Caminero said. “Thank God for giving me this opportunity and Kevin Cash for giving me this opportunity to play 162.”

Cash called it a “special season for an incredibly talented young player.” Sunday’s afternoon finale against Philadelphia will determine whether Caminero completes the 162-game milestone, weather permitting.