Brewers top Mariners 5-3 on July 21, 2025, despite Cal Raleigh's 38th HR. Brandon Woodruff outduels George Kirby as Milwaukee wins its 10th straight game.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, that's a tough way to start the week. The streaking Milwaukee Brewers rolled into T-Mobile Park on Monday and did what they've been doing for ten straight games: win. Despite another massive home run from Cal Raleigh, the Mariners couldn't solve Brewers ace Brandon Woodruff, dropping the series opener 5-3 and falling to 53-46 on the season.
Cal Raleigh's two-run shot was his 38th of the season, a towering blast that continues his incredible power surge and keeps him among the league leaders.
This game felt like a classic pitching duel on paper, but only one ace truly delivered. Milwaukee's Brandon Woodruff was masterful, holding the Mariners to just two runs over seven dominant innings while striking out eight. On the other side, George Kirby wasn't bad, but he wasn't sharp enough to beat a team this hot. Kirby battled through six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, including a costly home run to Christian Yelich, who drove in three of Milwaukee's five runs. When the bullpen surrendered a key insurance run in the 8th, it felt like the final nail in the coffin, leaving the M's four games behind Houston in the AL West.
It wasn't all doom and gloom. The 'Big Dumper' provided the night's biggest highlight for Seattle, launching his 38th homer of the season to keep the game within reach. J.P. Crawford also chipped in with two hits, continuing his steady presence at the top of the order. But perhaps the most exciting long-term news of the day came from the farm. Down in High-A Everett, top prospect Colt Emerson smashed his ninth home run of the season, a three-run shot that serves as a powerful reminder of the talent pipeline. While today's loss stings, seeing Emerson continue to develop his power and advanced approach is a crucial silver lining for the organization's future.
Losing the first game of a series is never ideal, especially against a red-hot opponent. The Mariners now face the challenge of needing to win the next two just to take the series and keep pace in the division. They'll need to shake this one off quickly, find a way to generate more offense against a tough Brewers staff, and hope to cool down a team that hasn't lost in over a week. The pressure is on for Tuesday's matchup.
