Cal Raleigh's two homers lead MLB, but Mariners fall to Angels 8-6 on June 7. Can Raleigh's record pace pull Seattle out of its five-game losing streak?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a frustrating but familiar story for Mariners fans right now: another game, another display of raw power from Cal Raleigh, and another tally in the loss column. Despite the 'Big Dumper' launching two more home runs to take the undisputed MLB lead, the Mariners fell 8-6 to the Angels on Saturday, extending their painful losing streak to five games and sinking them further into a mid-season slump.
With 26 home runs, Cal Raleigh now leads all of Major League Baseball, a silver lining in a cloudy stretch for Seattle.
Even in a loss, what Cal Raleigh is doing right now is special. The switch-hitting catcher was the entire offense on Saturday, blasting a solo shot in the first inning and adding a three-run bomb in the ninth off veteran closer Kenley Jansen. His 25th and 26th long balls of the season pushed him past everyone in the majors, a remarkable feat for any player, let alone a catcher. He's not just hitting for power; his 2.2 fWAR ranks third in the American League, trailing only superstars Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. Raleigh is putting the team on his back, but he needs some help.
Unfortunately, Raleigh's heroics weren't enough to overcome the team's current funk. The 8-6 defeat marked the Mariners' fifth consecutive loss and their 12th in the last 17 games. Starting pitcher Luis Castillo battled but ultimately took the loss, his record falling to an even 4-4. The team showed fight, rallying late, but couldn't close the gap. It's a dispiriting pattern where the M's can't seem to sync up their pitching, defense, and hitting all on the same night.
If you zoom out from the current losing streak, there's a shocking silver lining: this offense is legit. A year after finishing near the bottom of the league in most categories, the 2025 Mariners are an offensive force. They rank fifth in MLB with 53 homers, third in wRC+ (119), and lead the entire league with a patient 10.6% walk rate. This isn't the free-swinging, strikeout-prone team of 2024. The talent and approach are there, which makes the current slide all the more baffling.
All eyes now turn to today's series finale. At 32-31, the Mariners desperately need to stop the bleeding and avoid being swept by a division rival. A win today against the Angels (30-33) would not only snap the losing streak but also provide a much-needed morale boost before the team continues its homestand. This feels like more than just another game in June; it's a chance to reset the narrative and get this talented team back on track.
The pieces are there. The offense is statistically one of the league's best, and Cal Raleigh is playing like an MVP. But baseball is a team sport, and individual heroics can only carry you so far. Today's game against the Angels isn't just about avoiding a sweep; it's about proving this team can translate its statistical strengths into the only stat that truly matters: wins. The five-game skid needs to end now.
