Mariners' Raleigh Crushes MLB-Leading 45th Home Run: Seattle Wins 7th Consecutive

By Oliver Wiener August 13, 2025 00:42

The Seattle Mariners continued their torrid stretch of success with an emphatic 6-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on August 10, 2025. The victory marked the Mariners' seventh straight win, fueled in large part by Cal Raleigh, who smashed his major league-leading 45th home run of the season, a milestone that puts him in elite company and underscores his dominant presence at the plate.

Raleigh’s two-run homer came in a commanding four-run first inning off veteran Rays starter Adrian Houser. The powerful blast, a line drive that sailed 376 feet to right field with an exit velocity of 112.9 mph, immediately set the tone for the game and energized the Mariners' home crowd at T-Mobile Park. The home run was Raleigh’s second in the series and followed a three-run shot he hit in the previous game. His early offensive onslaught helped Seattle take a swift 4-0 lead, providing breathing room for starter Bryan Woo.

This homer not only showcased Raleigh’s raw power but also tied him with the legendary Johnny Bench for the second-most home runs ever hit by a catcher in a single season. Only Salvador Perez, with 48 homers in 2021, stands ahead in this elite category. Raleigh’s 45 home runs come with stellar run production too, as he’s driving in 98 RBIs and boasts a .247 batting average and an impressive .947 OPS through the season.

Bryan Woo delivered a strong performance on the mound for the Mariners, going six innings and striking out nine while allowing three runs on eight hits. His consistency has been a pillar for Seattle, as he pitched at least six innings in an astounding 23 starts this season, a feat not matched by any starting pitcher since Clayton Kershaw in 2019.

The Mariners’ offense continued clicking after Raleigh’s homer. Eugenio Suárez’s two-run single and subsequent contributions from Josh Naylor and Dominic Canzone extended the lead and padded the win. Despite the Rays chipping away at the Mariners' advantage in the middle innings, Seattle maintained control, with Naylor launching his 15th home run in the seventh inning and Canzone adding an RBI single in the eighth.

“Ice-cold early at the plate, Cal set the pace for us,” said Mariners manager Bruce Bochy. “His power and leadership have been huge for this team, and this seven-game win streak is proof that we’re clicking on all cylinders right now.”

The Mariners are now pressing hard in the American League West, just half a game behind division leaders, tightening the race with the Houston Astros. With Raleigh continuing to lead the league in homers and the team firing on all fronts, Seattle looks poised to keep this momentum rolling into the critical stretch of the season.

Raleigh, reflecting on his historic power surge, stated, “It feels great to be up there with guys like Johnny Bench and Salvador Perez. But honestly, I’m just focused on helping this team win every game. We’ve got something special going here.”

Seattle’s seven-game winning streak epitomizes resilience and offensive potency, anchored by Raleigh’s historic power display and Woo’s dominant outings. As the Mariners prepare to take on the Baltimore Orioles next, the baseball world will be watching to see if they can continue their surge toward the postseason.