Cal Raleigh ties Ken Griffey Jr.'s Mariners record with his 35th HR before the All-Star break on July 4, 2025, as Bryan Woo dominates on the mound.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some records feel untouchable, etched in Mariners lore by legends. But on July 4th, Cal Raleigh took a sledgehammer to one of those monuments, launching his 34th and 35th home runs of the season to tie none other than Ken Griffey Jr. for the most homers by a Mariner before the All-Star break. It was a night of pure electricity at T-Mobile Park, a reminder that this team's power is potent and its catcher is playing on a historic level.
Cal Raleigh's 35 home runs tie Ken Griffey Jr. (1994) for the most in franchise history before the All-Star break.
It's one thing to lead the team in home runs and RBIs; it's another thing entirely to put your name next to 'The Kid.' Cal Raleigh's two-homer night wasn't just a game-winning performance; it was a statement. His first blast, a two-run shot in the first inning, left the bat at a blistering 115.2 mph, the hardest-hit ball of his career. The second was the record-tier. With the All-Star break just around the corner, Raleigh isn't just making a case for a spot on the team; he's authoring one of the most remarkable power-hitting first halves in Seattle baseball history.
Lost in the home run hysteria was another masterful performance by Bryan Woo. The young right-hander tossed six scoreless innings, continuing one of the most impressive streaks of consistency you'll ever see. Woo has now pitched at least six innings in all 17 of his starts this season. While the offense, featuring homers from Raleigh and Randy Arozarena, provided the fireworks, Woo provided the steady, dominant foundation that has become his trademark. He is the anchor of this rotation's future, and he proved it once again.
The Mariners (45-42) can't afford to bask in the glory for too long. Tonight, they send their ace, Luis Castillo (4-5, 3.55 ERA), to the mound to face Pittsburgh's Mike Burrows (1-2, 4.15 ERA). The goal is simple: win the series and keep climbing in the AL West standings. With the offense showing explosive potential, the pressure is on Castillo to deliver a shutdown performance and hand the game over to a bullpen that saw a minor tweak this week, with RHP Logan Evans being recalled from Tacoma for LHP Joe Jacques. It's a chance to prove the July 4th power surge was a sign of things to come.
One historic night is in the books, but the job isn't finished. With Raleigh chasing history and Castillo on the hill, tonight's game is another crucial test as the All-Star break looms. Can the Mariners build on this incredible momentum? All eyes will be on T-Mobile Park to see if the fireworks continue.
