SEATTLE — Cal Raleigh continued his energy surge for the Seattle Mariners, hitting his major-league-leading thirty third homer in a 6-2 victory towards the Kansas City Royals on Monday evening.
Raleigh led off the seventh inning with a house run towards reliever Daniel Lynch IV, prompting chants of “MVP! MVP!” from the house crowd as he tied Mariners Corridor of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and Sammy Sosa for the third-most dwelling runs hit earlier than July in MLB historical past.
Solely Barry Bonds (39 in 2001) and Mark McGwire (37 in 1998) have hit extra earlier than July 1.
“Everyone seems to be simply form of amazed of what he is been in a position to accomplish this season,” teammate Randy Arozarena, who hit two dwelling runs in Monday’s win to provide him 101 for his profession, stated of Raleigh. “However yeah, he is an incredible batter. If you happen to requested me if I used to be shocked, not likely, as a result of I get to see precisely the work he places in behind the scenes for him to have the success that he’s having now.”
Raleigh, who additionally had a sacrifice fly within the fifth, already has an MLB-leading 71 RBIs, turning into the quickest Mariners participant to hit that whole since Bret Boone additionally did it in 84 video games in 2003.
The switch-hitter leads the American League in slugging proportion from each the suitable facet of the plate (.763) and the left facet (.600) this season. On the final day of June, Raleigh’s shot gave him the third-most dwelling runs earlier than August by any switch-hitter in MLB historical past; Mickey Mantle had 39 homers earlier than August in 1961 and 34 earlier than August in 1956.
“It is bought to really feel good for him, and particularly after not [being] pitched to a lot in Texas, however with the ability to get pitched to a bit bit right here tonight and profiting from it,” Mariners supervisor Dan Wilson stated.
Raleigh’s 30 dwelling runs as a beginning catcher this season are tied with Todd Hundley (1996) for essentially the most earlier than August in MLB historical past, in line with ESPN Analysis.
Arozarena hit his one centesimal profession homer with a solo shot within the fourth to provide Seattle its first run. Within the fifth, he broke open the sport with a three-run drive, his tenth of the season. It was the primary multihomer recreation for Arozarena since July 20, 2024.
George Kirby (2-4) allowed one run and three hits in six innings, placing out 5 with no stroll. He additionally permitted only one run and three hits over six innings his earlier trip at Minnesota.
Royals starter Michael Wacha (4-8) gave up 5 runs and eight hits over 5 innings.
Bobby Witt Jr. had two RBIs for the Royals.
ESPN Analysis and The Related Press contributed to this report.