Cue up the DJ Khaled sound bite, Cal Raleigh just hit “another one.”
The Seattle Mariners’ slugging catcher continued to torment Chicago Cubs pitching in Sunday’s series finale at Wrigley Field, blasting his fourth home run of the three-game set during the first inning.
Raleigh hits No. 30, joins rare company with latest milestone blast
Batting from the left side, the switch-hitting Raleigh launched the first pitch he saw from Cubs starter Colin Rea deep into the seats in right-center field for a two-run blast and his MLB-leading 31st home run of the season. It put the Mariners up 2-0.
Raleigh connected on a 94 mph fastball and sent it 414 feet with an exit velocity of 105 mph. He’s now four home runs in front of Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge for the league lead.
Raleigh also hit two home runs in the series opener on Friday and one in Saturday’s contest. He has five home runs over his past five games.
The home run Sunday helped Raleigh maintain his historic slugging pace.
Raleigh entered Sunday on pace for 65 home runs, which would break Judge’s American League record of 62 set in 2022. It would also shatter Salvador Perez’s record for catchers of 48 home runs and Mickey Mantle’s record for switch-hitters of 54.
Raleigh moved into sole possession of third place for most home runs hit by a Mariner before the All-Star break. He trails only Ken Griffey Jr.’s marks of 35 and 33, and Raleigh has 20 games after Sunday to catch or surpass those marks.
Raleigh is hitting .274 with a 1.039 OPS and 66 RBIs this season. He’s only one RBI behind ex-Mariner Eugenio Suárez for the MLB lead.
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