Cal Raleigh etched his name into baseball history, blasting his 60th home run of the season as the Seattle Mariners clinched the AL West title. This monumental achievement marks only the seventh time in MLB history a player has reached the 60-homer mark, placing Raleigh alongside legends like Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, and Aaron Judge.
The Mariners' 9-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies wasn't just another win; it solidified their dominance and secured their first AL West crown since 2001. Raleigh's two home runs in the game punctuated a remarkable turnaround for Seattle, who overcame a seven-game deficit to the Astros earlier in the season. Their current winning streak – 16 wins in their last 17 games – speaks volumes about their determination and skill.
Raleigh's power surge has been a pivotal factor in the Mariners' success. While a brief slump in August threatened to derail his pursuit of the 60-home run milestone, he rebounded with impressive force, hitting seven home runs in his last nine games. Now, with just four games remaining in the regular season, he has his sights set on surpassing Aaron Judge's single-season AL home run record.
The Mariners' triumph is even sweeter considering their impressive comeback against the Astros. After a three-game sweep of Houston last weekend, the Mariners' momentum is undeniable. While they've secured the division, the team remains hungry. Currently trailing the Yankees and Blue Jays by a single game for the best record in the AL, they are aiming for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This fierce competition should ensure that Raleigh continues to play a significant role in their upcoming games, and provides a thrilling finish to the season.
Beyond Raleigh's achievement, the game showcased other highlights including Noelvi Marte's inside-the-park home run, the Phillies' franchise-record eight home runs, and Aaron Judge's 51st home run of the season. But for Seattle fans, the focus remains firmly on Cal Raleigh and his historic contribution to the Mariners' exhilarating playoff run.
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Originally published at: https://www.si.com/mlb/cal-raleigh-60-homers-mariners-clinch-al-west
