Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh achieved a career milestone Monday night, hitting three home runs in a single game for the first time as his team defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 9-2. Raleigh, who has struggled through a season-long slump, contributed significantly to the Mariners' offense.
Raleigh's power display began in the first inning, where he hit a two-run home run off Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, extending Seattle's five-run lead. He then hit a leadoff home run against Wheeler in the fifth inning and added a solo shot off reliever Chase Shugart in the seventh. These three home runs brought his season total to 17.
This marked Raleigh's first multi-homer game of the current season. He finished the game 3 for 3 at the plate with a walk, and his performance raised his batting average from .159 to .167.
Last year, Raleigh was a runner-up for the American League MVP award. He led the majors with 60 home runs and recorded 125 RBIs during that season.