Mariners’ Cal Raleigh Hits 53rd HR in 18-2 Victory Over Braves
UPDATE: In a stunning display of power, Cal Raleigh smashed his major-league-leading 53rd home run as the Seattle Mariners dominated the Atlanta Braves with an astonishing 18-2 victory on September 24, 2023. This marks the Mariners’ highest run total since 2012, showcasing their offensive prowess in a must-win game.
Raleigh is now just one home run away from matching the legendary Mickey Mantle for the most home runs by a switch-hitter in a single MLB season, with Mantle’s record set at 54 in 1961, according to ESPN Research. The Mariners’ explosive performance featured a total of 20 hits, further solidifying their playoff aspirations.
In a spectacular offensive showcase, Eugenio Suarez contributed significantly, hitting two home runs and bringing his season tally to 45. Jorge Polanco and Josh Naylor also added to the score by hitting homers, as the Mariners recorded five home runs in a single game for the second time in franchise history.
The Mariners exploded for an incredible eight runs in the third inning, with Polanco and Naylor leading the charge. Raleigh capped off the scoring frenzy with a three-run blast during a seven-run ninth inning, bringing his RBI total to 113 for the season. Suarez’s impressive performance included a solo shot in the sixth and a two-run homer in the ninth, marking his seventh game this season with multiple home runs—only behind Raleigh.
This commanding victory also secured consecutive wins for Seattle for the first time since August 24, when they faced the Athletics and Padres. With this win, the Mariners improve to 75-68 and now hold a crucial 1.5-game lead over Kansas City for the third and final American League Wild Card spot. The Texas Rangers fell to 73-70, suffering their third loss in four games after a six-game winning streak.
On the mound, Luis Castillo delivered a solid performance, allowing just one run and four hits over six innings, marking his first win since July 28. Meanwhile, Julio Rodriguez impressively stole a base, achieving his third career season with 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases, tying legends Darryl Strawberry and Bobby Bonds for the most 25-25 seasons within their first four years in the league.
In a last-minute change, the Braves scratched scheduled starter Spencer Strider, pushing him back to Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. Joey Wentz struggled significantly, surrendering eight runs in just 2.1 innings, matching his career high.
The Mariners will look to build on this momentum as they eye the playoffs, while the Braves will regroup ahead of their upcoming games. Stay tuned for more updates as this thrilling season continues to unfold.
