Cal Raleigh powered the Seattle Mariners to a 9-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night at T-Mobile Park, halting Philadelphia’s nine-game winning streak. Raleigh smashed a career-high three home runs and finished 3 for 3 with a walk and four RBIs, raising his batting average from .159 to .167.
Raleigh Leads Mariners Past Hot Phillies
The switch-hitting catcher pulled all three home runs into the right-field seats from the left side of the plate. Raleigh’s offensive outburst began in a five-run first inning against Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, when he hit a towering two-run shot following a three-run home run by Julio Rodríguez. Raleigh added a leadoff solo homer against Wheeler in the fifth inning—triggering back-to-back blasts when Cole Young followed with a low line drive over the wall—and capped his night with a solo drive off reliever Chase Shugart in the seventh.
Wheeler took the loss, dropping to 10-5 after allowing a season-high eight runs on nine hits and five walks in four-plus innings while striking out four. Logan Gilbert earned the win for Seattle, pitching five innings and allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts. The Phillies manufactured their runs via an Alec Bohm RBI groundout in the first inning and a J.T. Realmuto home run in the second.
Historic Night for Franchise and Catcher
Raleigh’s performance marked the first multi-homer game of his season and the first three-homer game of his career. According to MLB.com, he became just the second catcher in Mariners franchise history to post a three-homer game, joining current manager Dan Wilson, who achieved the feat on April 11, 1996. Raleigh is also the first Mariners player to hit three home runs in a single game at T-Mobile Park.
Overall, Raleigh became the 13th player in franchise history to hit three home runs in one contest. His 22nd multi-homer game in a Seattle uniform moved him into a tie with Edgar Martínez and Jay Buhner for the second-most in club history, trailing only Ken Griffey Jr.
Turning Point in a Difficult Season
The stellar night offered relief for Raleigh and the Mariners following a challenging year. Last season, Raleigh finished as the runner-up for the American League MVP award after leading the majors with 60 home runs and driving in 125 runs.
Entering Monday with 14 home runs on the year, Raleigh improved his season statistics, raising his wRC+ to 83 and his slash line to .167/.282/.336. I had never done that before at any level, so hard to fathom,
Raleigh said according to The Athletic. It was a fun night.
Playoff Chase and Upcoming Schedule
With the win, the Mariners improved their record to 63-69, remaining in the American League playoff race. Seattle stood three games behind the Texas Rangers for the AL West lead and three games out of the third and final wild-card spot with five weeks remaining in the season.
The series continues on Tuesday night when Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola (5-9, 5.12 ERA) faces Mariners right-hander George Kirby (8-10, 4.18 ERA) at T-Mobile Park.
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