Cal Raleigh leads Mariners to victory with key homer against Rangers
- Cal Raleigh hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning, which was his third homer of the season and effective in curbing his recent batting struggles.
- Seattle Mariners were led by offensive contributions from Jorge Polanco and Rowdy Tellez, with Polanco achieving three hits in the game.
- The Mariners' victory over the Rangers marks their momentum as they improved to a record of 6-8, winning back-to-back games.
In the United States, the Seattle Mariners faced off against the Texas Rangers in a thrilling baseball matchup on a Friday night. Cal Raleigh made headlines by hitting a pivotal two-run home run in the eighth inning, helping the Mariners clinch a 5-3 victory over the Rangers. This marked Raleigh's third home run of the season, occurring after a challenging period in which he had a batting slump. The victory propelled the Mariners to their second consecutive win, assisting in breaking their win-loss record at 6-8. The action unfolded with the Mariners taking an early lead with solo homers from Jorge Polanco and Rowdy Tellez. Despite a solid start from Seattle pitcher Bryce Miller, who struck out five and limited the Rangers to just one hit across five innings, the game became competitive as the Rangers fought back. A significant turning point came when Texas third baseman Josh Jung hit a two-run homer, narrowing the Mariners' lead. In the final innings, Seattle's bullpen, consisting of Gabe Speier and Carlos Vargas, showcased impressive pitching skills as they held off the Rangers, leaving them scoreless during critical moments. Andres Munoz concluded the game as the closer, achieving his fifth save this season. The Mariners' offensive strength was further highlighted by Polanco’s three-hit performance, as he consistently contributed to the team’s scoring opportunities. On Sunday, the Mariners continued their winning streak against the Rangers, completing a three-game sweep. Raleigh's prowess at the plate was evident as he recorded a home run for the third consecutive game, aiding in the team's 3-1 victory that brought them to a .500 record at 8-8. This streak can be partly attributed to the strong performance from pitcher Logan Gilbert, who only gave up one run through five innings. Overall, these games have not only showcased the potential of key players such as Raleigh but have also revitalized the Mariners' season as they gain momentum heading into future matchups.