Mariners Rally Late, Thanks to Raleigh's Blast!
SEATTLE -- Cal Raleigh blasted his league-leading 43rd home run of the season, a clutch three-run shot in the eighth inning, propelling the Seattle Mariners to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. The electrifying moment sent the Seattle crowd into a frenzy.
The Mariners extended their winning streak to five games and remain just 1 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West standings. The tension is palpable as the playoff race heats up.
Raleigh's towering homer, a 417-foot drive to right-center field, came off Griffin Jax (1-6) after singles by J.P. Crawford and Cole Young. The Mariners had struggled to get runners in scoring position until that pivotal inning.
This was Raleigh's first home run since July 31 against Texas. He now leads Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber by two homers in the MLB race. Schwarber did hit his 41st homer on Friday, keeping the pressure on.
Carlos Vargas (4-5) pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and Matt Brash closed the door with a dominant ninth, striking out all three batters he faced to earn his second save of the season.
Tampa Bay's Rasmussen pitched well, allowing four hits over six shutout innings with four strikeouts and no walks. Pitching in his home state, Rasmussen has a strong record against Seattle, yielding only one earned run across 20 1/3 innings in his career.
Brandon Lowe hit a solo homer in the first inning, and Junior Caminero added his 31st of the season in the fifth, giving Tampa Bay an early 2-0 lead. However, it wasn't enough to hold off the Mariners' late surge.
Luis Castillo pitched seven solid innings for Seattle, surrendering two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and no walks.
The Mariners finally broke through in the eighth when Young's single moved Crawford to second, setting the stage for Raleigh's heroics.
The series continues Saturday with Tampa Bay RHP Joe Boyle (1-1, 2.30 ERA) facing Seattle RHP Logan Evans (5-4, 4.30 ERA) following Ichiro Suzuki’s jersey retirement ceremony. The atmosphere is sure to be electric!
Attendance: 39,780