Cal Raleigh leads Mariners with two home runs in dominant win

On Friday, the Seattle Mariners faced the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, culminating in a decisive 13-1 victory for the Mariners. The standout performance came from catcher Cal Raleigh, who hit two home runs, including a grand slam that significantly impacted the game's outcome. Raleigh's home runs elevated his season total to an impressive 12, giving him the lead in the Major League Baseball home run rankings. Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo also had a notable outing, allowing just one hit over 6 1/3 innings, striking out eight batters and maintaining control throughout the game. The Mariners established a commanding lead early, with Raleigh's first home run coming in the fourth inning, which set the tone for the game. Following that, the Mariners exploded with a seven-run fifth inning where Raleigh's grand slam contributed to their significant score increase. The Rangers struggled offensively, only managing one hit until the ninth inning when Josh Smith finally broke their scoreless streak by hitting a solo homer. This loss marked a difficult period for the Texas Rangers, who have been struggling recently, winning only two out of their last ten games. Their loss to the Mariners dropped their record below .500, a concerning trend for them as they aim to improve. For the Mariners, the victory represents their fifth consecutive win, highlighting a resurgence in their performance, pushing them back into contention in the American League West division. As the teams prepare for the continuation of the series, the Mariners are looking to build on this momentum with their starting pitcher Luis Castillo slated to take the mound in the next game. Meanwhile, the Rangers, aiming to recover, will send Patrick Corbin to the start. The importance of this series is significant, as both teams need to showcase their abilities to shift the narrative of their respective seasons.