Seattle’s baseball fans got a reason to celebrate on Monday night when catcher Cal Raleigh delivered a career‑high three‑home‑run performance against the Philadelphia Phillies. The switch‑hitting catcher helped the Mariners jump to a 9‑2 win, snapping a long offensive drought and giving Seattle a bright spot in its early season schedule.
Raleigh’s breakout night
Raleigh opened a five‑run first inning with a two‑run blast off Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, who has struggled in recent outings. After Wheeler’s removal, Raleigh and teammate Cole Young followed with back‑to‑back homers in the fifth inning, further widening the lead. Raleigh capped the night with a solo shot in the seventh off reliever Chase Shugart, finishing 3‑for‑3 with a walk.
All three home runs landed in the right‑field seats, hit from the left side of the plate. The feat makes Raleigh the 13th player in Mariners franchise history to hit three homers in a single game, joining former teammate Dominic Canzone, who achieved the same on Sept. 16 of last season, and former catcher‑turned‑manager Dan Wilson, who did it in April 1996.
Impact on Raleigh’s season
The three‑run outburst lifted Raleigh’s season total to 17 home runs and nudged his batting average from .159 to .167. Prior to the game, he was striking out at a rate of 31.2 percent, a statistic he hopes to improve as the season progresses. Raleigh was the runner‑up for the American League MVP award last year after leading the majors with 60 home runs and 125 RBIs.
Seattle’s manager praised Raleigh’s resilience, noting that the catcher’s performance demonstrated the value of perseverance and preparation. “Cal showed what hard work looks like,” the manager said. “When you stay ready, opportunities like this come.”
Phillies’ struggles
Philadelphia’s starting pitcher Zack Wheeler, who entered the game with a 2‑1 record, was unable to contain Seattle’s early surge. After surrendering five runs in the first inning, Wheeler was pulled in favor of the bullpen. Reliever Chase Shugart, who gave up Raleigh’s seventh‑inning solo homer, also struggled, allowing additional runs that cemented the Mariners’ lead.
The loss drops the Phillies to a 2‑3 record on the road, highlighting early-season challenges for the National League East club. Manager Rob Thomson emphasized the need for adjustments, particularly in the pitching staff, as the team looks to rebound in upcoming series.
Looking ahead
With the win, the Mariners improve to 4‑2 on the road and aim to build momentum heading into a weekend series against the Oakland Athletics. Raleigh’s breakout performance could signal a turning point for Seattle’s offense, which has sought consistency since the season began.
Philadelphia will travel to Chicago for a three‑game set against the Cubs, hoping to tighten up its pitching and regain confidence after the loss in Seattle.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
