Seattle Mariners fans got to see something special Sunday night. Cal Raleigh kept his unreal home run streak going, launching his MLB-leading 58th homer in a 7-3 win over the Houston Astros.
The slugging catcher didn’t just power Seattle to a huge victory that finished off a sweep of their division rivals. He also carved out multiple spots in the record books during what’s become a wild, historic season.
He broke Ken Griffey Jr.’s long-standing team record. He even passed icons like Mickey Mantle and Salvador Perez. Raleigh’s 2024 campaign is quickly becoming one of the wildest power-hitting seasons we’ve seen in baseball.
Raleigh’s Historic Second-Inning Blast
The big moment came in the second inning. Raleigh stepped up right after J.P. Crawford’s grand slam and crushed a two-run shot, putting the Mariners up 5-0 early.
That swing didn’t just stretch Seattle’s lead in the game. It pushed them three games ahead of Houston in the AL West, with just six games left in the regular season.
Breaking the Franchise and League Records
Raleigh’s 58th home run happened just a day after he topped Ken Griffey Jr.’s single-season franchise record of 56, set in 1997 and 1998. Now he’s in a league of his own among Seattle hitters.
- He passed Mickey Mantle’s switch-hitter record (54 HRs), which had stood since 1961.
- He broke the MLB record for most home runs in a season by a catcher, passing Salvador Perez’s 48 in 2021.
- He’s ahead of Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber by five homers—both have 53.
A Season for the Ages
Raleigh’s season is completely changing what people expect from a catcher at the plate. Usually, the grind of catching keeps offensive numbers down, especially with power.
But Raleigh’s flipped that idea on its head. He’s shown a wild mix of durability and serious slugging.
A Rare Feat Among MLB Legends
Passing Mantle as a switch-hitter and Perez as a catcher in the same year? That’s a rare combo of skill and stamina.
And then there’s dethroning Griffey’s franchise record—a number most people figured would never fall in Seattle. Raleigh’s 2024 already reads like something out of Cooperstown, at least in my book.
Team Impact and AL West Implications
The Mariners’ sweep over the Astros went way beyond individual milestones. By taking all three games, Seattle grabbed control of the division race.
With only six games to go, they’ve got a crucial cushion. That could be the deciding factor between winning the division or settling for a Wild Card spot. It’s tense, honestly.
Keeping the Focus on Winning
Even with all the records, Raleigh didn’t make it about himself after the game. He talked about how the Mariners kept their focus and stayed consistent through the series.
He said team success drives him more than personal stats. That attitude just adds to his growing legend, both in the clubhouse and around the league.
Teammates’ Praise and Expectations
Shortstop J.P. Crawford, who hit the grand slam before Raleigh’s blast, called the catcher’s season “historic.” He admitted it almost feels normal now to see Raleigh homer every day.
Fans and even opponents seem to feel the same. When Raleigh comes up to bat, you can’t help but stop and watch—something big might just happen.
The Final Push
The Mariners are heading into the season’s final week. Raleigh’s bat might just decide their postseason fate.
Every swing now feels heavy with playoff implications. With the way he’s hitting, pitchers probably don’t want to throw him anything good in the strike zone.
This season is one Seattle fans won’t forget anytime soon. It’s been a wild ride—chasing October baseball and watching some jaw-dropping power-hitting milestones.
Cal Raleigh isn’t just after a pennant. He’s making history with every at-bat.
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Here is the source article for this story: Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh hits MLB-leading 58th home run against Astros
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