Jul 4, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh (29) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run dwelling run through the first inning in opposition to the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Cell Park. Necessary Credit score: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Pictures Dan Wilson and Ken Griffey Jr. had been teammates when the latter hit a franchise-record 35 dwelling runs earlier than the All-Star break in 1998.
Wilson, now the Seattle Mariners supervisor, was requested to make a comparability Friday afternoon after Cal Raleigh homered twice in a 6-0 victory in opposition to the Pittsburgh Pirates to match Griffey’s feat.
“It is outstanding. I imply, it looks like (Raleigh) hits a house run each recreation. That is what it looks like. And I keep in mind feeling it as a participant that Junior simply felt like he hit a house run on daily basis,” Wilson stated. “And once more, that is the consistency that he has proven. It hasn’t been a streak the place he is hit a bunch of dwelling runs in a brief period of time. It has been form of 10 per thirty days and it is persevering with right here in July.”
Raleigh will look to interrupt the mark when the three-game interleague sequence continues Saturday evening in Seattle.
Raleigh practically left the yard — actually — on a two-run homer off Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter within the first inning, as his 433-foot blast landed three rows from the highest of T-Cell Park’s second deck in left subject. It was the toughest hit ball of Raleigh’s profession at 115.2 mph.
“It felt good. Took benefit of a mistake. He is a superb arm. Simply tried to get on a heater center of the plate and was capable of take benefit,” Raleigh stated.
As for matching Griffey?
“I’ve stated it … to be talked about with that identify, with anyone who’s simply iconic, is a legend, first poll Corridor of Famer, I am simply blessed,” Raleigh stated. “Simply attempting to do the proper factor and attempt to preserve it rolling and if I can attempt to be like that man, it is a good man to look as much as.”
Teammate Randy Arozarena added a solo shot within the fourth, his fifth homer in as many video games, and Raleigh simply cleared the fence within the sixth on a excessive fly to left subject.
“Raleigh is having one heck of a yr and bought (Bailey Falter) twice,” Pirates supervisor Don Kelly stated. “(Falter) solely gave up the three hits, however they had been all dwelling runs.”
Seattle’s Dylan Moore snapped out of a 1-for-38 hunch that included 24 strikeouts with a solo homer within the seventh off Braxton Ashcraft.
That was greater than sufficient offense for Bryan Woo, who allowed simply three hits — all to Nick Gonzales — over six scoreless innings.
Raleigh, who would be the American League’s beginning catcher within the All-Star Recreation, made a case for Woo (8-4, 2.77 ERA) to hitch him later this month in Atlanta.
“He is taken that subsequent step in his profession and brought possession of who he’s as a pitcher and the way he needs to go about his enterprise,” Raleigh stated. “I am very pleased with him and he is doing nice issues. I believe he must be an All-Star.”
Whereas the Mariners did not have a single at-bat with a runners in scoring place, the Pirates went 0-for-7.
“In the present day was robust,” admitted Kelly, whose group had a six-game successful streak snapped, together with a run of three consecutive shutouts. “We did not get that huge hit with runners in scoring place. It is one thing that is plagued us this yr at occasions, and it bought us once more. However once we look again over the previous week, we have been getting these hits, and the blokes are gonna proceed to work and pull by way of more often than not.”
The Pirates are set to ship Mike Burrows (1-2, 4.15 ERA) to the mound Saturday in opposition to a fellow right-hander within the Mariners’ Luis Castillo (4-5, 3.55).
Burrows, who might be dealing with the Mariners for the primary time, most not too long ago pitched Sunday, permitting one run on 4 hits in 4 1/3 innings of a 12-1 victory in opposition to the visiting New York Mets.
Castillo additionally pitched Sunday and did not get a choice at Texas regardless of permitting one run by way of six innings in a recreation the Mariners gained 6-4 in 12 innings. Castillo is 6-5 with a 2.60 ERA in 15 profession begins in opposition to Pittsburgh.
–Subject Degree Media
