Yankees at Mariners highlights: Cal Raleigh's walk-off single wins it

SEATTLE – Cal Raleigh didn’t start this game, but he finished it.

Off to a 2-for-15 start with 10 strikeouts, the Seattle Mariners’ star delivered a one-out, game-winning single in the ninth, securing a 2-1 win – the Yankees’ first loss of the year – Monday night at T-Mobile Park.

The 2025 AL MVP runner-up to Yankees’ captain Aaron Judge, Raleigh caught the Mariners’ first four games (with no off days) against Cleveland, and manager Dan Wilson was giving him a break.

Of course, the switch-hitting catcher clubbed 60 home runs last year, finishing just 20 points behind Judge, who hit 53 homers and won the batting title with a .331 average.

“I figured it would be pretty close. I kind of believed Judgie would carry the day. I think they got it right,” Yanks manager Aaron Boone said of the balloting, with Judge receiving 17 of 30 first-place votes.

“But there’s no denying the all-around season that Cal had” in boosting Seattle to the seventh game of last year’s AL Championship Series.

Raleigh entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh, remained in as the DH, and delivered in the ninth off Paul Blackburn, who gave up three singles in the final inning.

Last of the ninth

Yanks can’t do anything after Giancarlo Stanton’s one-out double in the ninth, and Paul Blackburn is still out there – facing 8-9-1, trying to prevent a Mariners walk-off win.

Eighth inning tactics

Dan Wilson brings in his last lefty, Gabe Speier, to retire the two lefties (on Ks) but now he has to face Aaron Judge.

Before you wonder if he’d intentionally walk Judge, the captain singles to right and here’s Cody Bellinger…who grounds out.

Still tied going to the last of the eighth and Paul Blackburn enters for Doval.

Stopping a Seattle rally

Aaron Boone’s bullpen is still doing heroic work in the early going of 2026.

After Headrick fans Cal Raleigh with runners at the corners, Boone – after using every stall tactic legally at his disposal – brings in Camilo Doval to retire Julio Rodriguez (0-for-4) on a grounder.

After buying that extra time for Doval, the Yanks have managed to keep it a 1-1 game entering the eighth.

Raleigh time at T-Mobile

Mariners’ No. 9 hitter Cole Young has three of Seattle’s six hits tonight, and his double has helped set up runners at the corners, with one out…

…and here is Cal Raleigh to pinch-hit, facing Brent Headrick…who gets Raleigh (2-for-16, no HRs, 11 Ks in 2026) swinging over a 2-2 splitter for the second out.

Tied in Seattle

You expect nothing less than a pro at-bat from Amed Rosario, whose pinch-hit sacrifice fly ties it 1-1 as we go to the last of the seventh.

It’s lefty Brent Headrick to face 8-9-1 in the M’s order, and you’d expect to see Camilo Doval in the eighth.

Something stirring

Against lefty reliever Jose Ferrer, the Yanks have put runners at the corners with one out in the seventh.

Now, with Ryan McMahon coming up, Boone goes to pinch-hitter Amed Rosario and Dan Wilson counters with righty reliever Eduard Bazardo, trying to hold a 1-0 M’s lead.

For starters Mar 30, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo (58) throws against the New York Yankees during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Mar 30, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo (58) throws against the New York Yankees during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Ryan Weathers’ Yankee debut lasted 4.1 innings (77 pitches), charged with one run on four hits with two walks and 7 Ks.

He’s been outdueled by the veteran Luis Castillo, the author of six shutout innings so far, and 7 Ks (lefty Jose Ferrer now enters to pitch the seventh for Seattle).

And that strikeout of Aaron Judge, who couldn’t check his swing on a 1-2 slider, was No. 1,500 in Castillo’s career.

The perfect pitch

When he’s executing the splitter, Fernando Cruz has an unhittable pitch.

And he just used it to perfection, striking out pinch-hitter Dominic Canzone and Julio Rodriguez on splits, stranding runners at second and third to keep it 1-0, Seattle, after five innings.

A little stormy for Weathers Mar 30, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers (40) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Mar 30, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers (40) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Seattle’s Nos. 8 and 9 hitters, Rivas and Young, open the fifth with singles vs. Ryan Weathers. Paul Blackburn is warming up…

…now Fernando Cruz enters with one out, two runners in scoring position, trying to keep it a 1-0 deficit. He’s facing pinch-hitter Dominic Canzone with the infield in.

Yanks 5-for-5 in ABS Mar 30, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero (72) signals for an ABS challenge on a pitch by the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. The strike was overturned and Caballero walked. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Mar 30, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero (72) signals for an ABS challenge on a pitch by the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. The strike was overturned and Caballero walked. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Well, the Yanks are 5-for-5 in challenging plate ump Mike Estabrook’s low strike calls, but they’re still trailing the Mariners, 1-0 in the fourth.

I liked Aaron Boone’s original idea that ABS challenges should only be on pitches that would result in a strikeout or a walk.

Now, I’m already coming around to the idea of just having ABS call every pitch and let’s be done with this.

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