Sammy Sosa's return to Wrigley is spoiled as Cal Raleigh's two homers lead the Mariners over the Cubs 9-4 on June 21, 2025. Read the full game recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
For the first time in over two decades, Sammy Sosa walked onto the grass at Wrigley Field, greeted by a wave of cheers that felt like a bridge across time. It was a moment of pure baseball joy, a welcome homecoming for a franchise icon. Unfortunately, that nostalgic high was the peak of the afternoon for the North Siders, as the Seattle Mariners' power bats woke up to hand the Cubs a tough 9-4 loss.
Despite dropping their second straight game, the Chicago Cubs remain atop the NL Central.
The crowd was electric for Sosa, who returned to the Friendly Confines and received the standing ovation he so richly deserved. But while one former slugger was celebrated, a current one did the damage. Seattle's Cal Raleigh played spoiler, launching two homers, including the go-ahead blast in the seventh inning that broke the game open. The Cubs jumped out to an early 3-run lead in the first, powered by an Ian Happ home run, but couldn't hold on. The game turned into a home run derby, but the Mariners hit more of them, leaving Wrigley with a sour taste despite the sweet reunion.
Despite the final score, there were positives to take away. Michael Busch was a machine at the plate, racking up three hits and two RBIs to continue his solid season. Reese McGuire added a solo shot, and starter Matthew Boyd battled for five innings, allowing four runs but also making a spectacular barehanded catch to end the fifth. However, the bats went quiet when it mattered most. Pete Crow-Armstrong, fresh off his historic 20/20 milestone, had a day to forget, going hitless with three pop-outs and a strikeout. It's a humbling reminder of how tough this game can be, even for the league's most dynamic players.
Even on a tough day for the big-league club, the future looks strong. High-A South Bend saw No. 5 prospect Jefferson Rojas smash his fifth home run, another promising sign from the young infielder. More broadly, the farm system remains an organizational strength. Farm director Jason Kanzler recently emphasized that even after dealing Cam Smith for Kyle Tucker, the Cubs boast seven Top 100 prospects. With significant depth at Double-A and Triple-A, the organization has a wealth of talent ready to contribute in Chicago or be used as currency at the upcoming trade deadline.
Losing two straight is never fun, especially at home. But let's take a breath. The Cubs are still in first place in the NL Central, Sammy is back in the fold, and the pipeline of talent is flowing. This team has shown its resilience all year. They'll need to tap into it again tomorrow, flush this loss, and get back to protecting their divisional lead. The pieces are all there; it's just a matter of putting them together consistently.
