The Seattle Mariners rolled to an 11-4 win over the Oakland Athletics, fueled by record-setting efforts from Logan Gilbert and Cal Raleigh. These two, both from the club’s pivotal 2018 draft class, made their presence felt in a big way.
Gilbert bounced back from a rough outing and struck out a career-high 13 batters. Raleigh tied Salvador Perez’s single-season home run mark for a primary catcher, putting his name in the books.
The Mariners jumped ahead by the third inning thanks to an early offensive burst. From there, they pretty much coasted, keeping their playoff hopes very much alive.
Dominance on the Mound: Logan Gilbert’s Career Day
Gilbert came out determined after his last start in Philadelphia didn’t go his way. He let it rip with a fastball averaging 96.1 mph, mixing in a sharp slider and a late-breaking splitter to keep Oakland’s hitters off balance.
Setting the Tone Early
Right from the first pitch, Gilbert showed command in every corner of the strike zone. He struck out the side in the first inning, clearly feeding off the early runs his teammates put up.
Six innings in, the numbers jumped off the page—13 strikeouts, one earned run, and no question who was in charge. It wasn’t just about velocity, though. Gilbert kept hitters guessing with smart sequencing and some pretty nasty pitch tunneling.
He changed eye levels and made life tough for anyone in the batter’s box. You could feel he’s starting to look like a real ace.
Cal Raleigh Makes History
Raleigh wasn’t quiet at the plate, either. He crushed two home runs off Oakland starter Jacob Lopez in the second and third innings.
Those blasts tied him with Salvador Perez for the most home runs by a primary catcher in MLB history. That’s no small feat, and it’s another sign Raleigh’s turning into one of the league’s top power-hitting catchers.
More Than Just Power
But Raleigh does more than hit home runs. Behind the plate, he calms the pitching staff, and his long-standing connection with Gilbert—going back to their days as minor league roommates—was obvious.
Their chemistry comes from years of working together, and it really showed in this one.
Offensive Outburst from the Mariners Lineup
The Mariners’ hitters wasted no time jumping on Lopez. He came in looking sharp on paper but lost his command almost immediately.
Lopez walked a career-high six batters and gave up several run-scoring hits before getting pulled in the third inning.
Key Contributors at the Plate
Seattle’s offense got a boost from patient at-bats and timely hits:
- Jorge Polanco and Randy Arozarena set the table, making Lopez work hard from the start.
- Julio RodrÃguez and Josh Naylor knocked in big runs, stretching the lead early.
- By the third, the Mariners led 9-1, giving Gilbert all the cushion he needed.
Uneven Bullpen Work, but No Collapse
After Gilbert left, Carlos Vargas ran into some trouble and allowed two runs. Oakland got a glimmer of hope, but Tayler Saucedo came in and steadied things with two solid innings of relief.
Resting Regulars for the Stretch Run
With the outcome never really in doubt, manager Dan Wilson gave his core infielders some rest. Veterans Donovan Solano and Cole Young got late-inning chances to contribute.
That move might pay off as Seattle gears up for the postseason chase.
A Showcase of Player Development
The win was more than just another tally in the standings—it said something about the Mariners’ improved player development. Gilbert and Raleigh, once minor league roommates, now play central roles in Seattle’s playoff ambitions.
The 2018 draft brought both players into the organization. Honestly, it might be one of the most significant drafts in team history.
Their shared journey started as raw prospects in the farm system. Now, they’re record-setting, game-dominating pros.
With both players entering their prime, Seattle fans have plenty of reason to hope for big October moments. Maybe this is the start of something special.
—
If you want, I can also provide a **SEO keyword list** for this blog so it ranks better in sports searches — should I put that together for you?
Here is the source article for this story: Mariners win big behind Cal Raleigh’s historic day, Logan Gilbert’s gem
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s