Mariners fall to Red Sox 4-2 on June 18, 2025, as Luis Castillo struggles and the offense vanishes. Cal Raleigh's clutch double wasn't enough to stop the loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day that felt all too familiar for Mariners fans. After a promising start to the series, the bats went cold at the worst possible time, leading to a frustrating 4-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox in Wednesday's rubber match. Despite a valiant effort from the bullpen and another clutch hit from Cal Raleigh, a shaky start from Luis Castillo and an offense that managed just five hits sealed Seattle's fate, dropping them to 37-36 and 2.5 games out of first in the AL West.
Cal Raleigh's two-run double was the entirety of Seattle's offense, a testament to his incredible season where he now boasts 27 homers and 60 RBIs.
Luis 'La Piedra' Castillo just didn't seem to have his sharpest stuff on Wednesday. Over six innings, the M's ace was tagged for four runs, giving up a critical two-run homer to Wilyer Abreu in the fifth inning that proved to be the difference-maker. While seven strikeouts show flashes of his dominance, the four earned runs were too much for the slumbering Seattle offense to overcome. On the other side, Red Sox starter Garrett Crochet was electric, mowing down nine Mariners over seven innings and keeping them off balance all afternoon. The M's bullpen, with scoreless innings from Matt Brash and Tayler Saucedo, did its job, but the damage was already done.
If there's one player who can't be blamed for the offensive woes, it's Cal Raleigh. The 'Big Dumper' provided all of Seattle's scoring with a booming two-run double in the sixth inning, briefly breathing life into the team. It's just another day at the office for Raleigh, who continues to be one of the most productive catchers in all of baseball. His power surge is no fluke; he's now among the league leaders with 27 home runs and 60 RBIs, earning him a well-deserved spot on MLB.com's latest Hitter Power Rankings. While the team needs more than one player to produce, Raleigh's consistency has been a saving grace.
While the big-league club struggled, the future continued to shine brightly down in High-A Everett. Top prospect Colt Emerson launched his sixth home run of the season, a two-run blast that showcases the power and polish that has scouts so excited. The M's No. 1 prospect is putting together a fantastic season for the AquaSox, slashing .287/.374/.482 with 28 RBIs in 54 games. It's a comforting reminder that even on disappointing days in Seattle, the talent pipeline is strong and help is on the way.
As the dust settles on another lost series, the Mariners find themselves at a familiar crossroads. At 37-36, the potential is there, but the offensive consistency is not. The pitching can't be perfect every night, and the lineup, from Julio Rodríguez on down, needs to find a way to support the heroics of Cal Raleigh. With no roster moves on the immediate horizon, the answers will have to come from within. The M's need to shake this one off quickly and find their rhythm before they lose more ground in a tight divisional race.
