Mariners Extend AL West Lead as Cal Raleigh Hits MLB-Leading 58th Home Run

Cal Raleigh, catcher for the Seattle Mariners, hit his MLB-leading 58th home run, helping the Mariners complete a sweep of the Houston Astros and extend their American League West lead to three games with six left in the season. His two-run homer in the second inning followed a grand slam by J.P. Crawford and broke multiple records, including surpassing Ken Griffey Jr.'s franchise single-season home run record and Mickey Mantle's switch-hitter mark. Raleigh also set the MLB record for most home runs in a season by a catcher, surpassing Salvador Perez's 48 homers in 2021. Despite his historic personal achievements, Raleigh emphasized the importance of the team's success, celebrating the sweep that puts Seattle in strong contention for the division title. The Mariners also hold key tiebreakers and are positioned well to secure a Wild Card Series bye. Meanwhile, the Astros' loss and sweep at home have severely damaged their playoff chances, pushing them outside postseason position.