MINNEAPOLIS – Cal Raleigh continued his explosive performance on the field, showcasing his prowess with his 32nd home run in the major leagues. It’s another remarkable chapter for the Seattle Mariners’ victory over the Minnesota Twins, concluding with an 11-2 triumph on Monday night.
Raleigh’s consistency and impressive form earned him the title of AL player of the week, a testament to his .417 batting average, complemented by five home runs and 12 RBIs over the last six games. The Mariners benefited greatly from Raleigh’s efforts in their previous series against the Cubs, where Raleigh propelled four home runs, aiding Seattle in clinching two out of three games at Wrigley Field.
The notable Monday night home run was a powerful two-run shot that capitalized on a high changeup pitched by Joey Wentz, a left-handed reliever. Raleigh sent it soaring to the left field, marking his fourth consecutive game securing a home run.
“Cal’s just seeing the ball really well,” noted Mariners manager Dan Wilson. “He’s comfortable at the plate, making good decisions, and when he connects with those perfect pitches, he capitalizes.”
Over his past 30 appearances, Raleigh has consistently impressed with a .331 batting average (39 hits out of 118 at-bats), alongside smashing 17 home runs and securing 36 RBIs. His ongoing season statistics reflect a .278 batting average, amassing 68 RBIs, and achieving a stellar 1.048 OPS.
Raleigh, at 28 years old, signed a substantial $105 million, six-year commitment with Seattle earlier this spring. He’s now on the brink of equaling Ken Griffey Jr.’s record for home runs before the All-Star break in Mariners’ tradition, requiring just three more homers to match this feat.
“While he’s known for his homers, his precision with the bat—a .270 average with such power—indicates the quality at-bats he delivers,” Wilson praised. “He’s consistently hitting strong, driving balls with force, and sometimes, he gets the perfect lift to launch them out of the park.”
On the mound, Mariners’ starter Bryan Woo contributed notably, striking out nine batters over six innings to secure the win. Ensuring he pitches for at least six innings in each of his 15 starts this season, Woo maintains an impressive 3.12 ERA. Despite his own success, Woo acknowledged the challenge of pitching to Raleigh in his current form.
“I’d just let him walk to first,” Woo confessed. “Pitching to him right now? I’d rather not take that chance.”