Cal Raleigh reaches 50 as Mariners shell Padres, claim Vedder Cup in style
Cal Raleigh powered Seattle to a 9-6 victory over San Diego by ripping his 50th homer of the season, a 92.9 mph fastball launched 419 feet into the second deck at T-Mobile Park during an eight-pitch, full-count at-bat against JP Sears. He fought back from an 0-2 hole and lined the ball to the seats, adding another milestone to a historic night.
Raleigh’s homer came as part of a larger performance that underscores his place in Mariners history. He’s now four homers away from tying Mickey Mantle’s 1961 mark for the most homers by a switch-hitter and six short of Seattle’s franchise record, held by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1997-98. Raleigh also became the first player in MLB history to homer at least 20 times from both sides of the plate in the same season, and he joined Griffey as the only Mariners to reach 50 homers in a season. The 50-homer milestone had been reached by 32 players in MLB history before Raleigh’s blast, with Raleigh as the season’s first to hit 50 this year.
After Raleigh’s long ball opened the scoring in the first inning, San Diego answered with three runs off Mariners starter Bryce Miller. Seattle then seized control, scoring eight consecutive runs to pull away in a game that featured a notable Vedder Cup moment. The Mariners clinched the Vedder Cup with a celebratory trophy, a custom 1963 Fender Telecaster guitar designed in collaboration with Eddie Vedder, after reducing the Padres’ late threat and securing the 9-6 win.
Raleigh also remains on pace for a potential 61-homer season, one shy of the American League single-season mark set by Aaron Judge in 2022, and he’s also been a key one-two punch this year, logging his 10th homer from the designated hitter spot to go with 40 from behind the plate. He noted the challenge of staying at the plate games after games, balancing an aggressive approach with the need to read the pitcher and the game situation.
“I was just trying to fight, honestly, anything close, and I was able to work it to 3-2,” Raleigh said. “I’m trying to stay on the heater, trying to stay with a good approach. I think that’s kind of what helped me stay on some of those offspeed pitches. I didn’t pull off them.”
The night wasn’t just about Raleigh, though. The Mariners showed resilience after San Diego again rallied, but Seattle answered with a string of runs and closed out a four-game series with momentum, part of their ongoing push for a strong finish in a season that’s seen Raleigh reach new heights and the team solidify its standing around a historic milestone.
Commentary and context:
– Raleigh’s breakout has shifted conversation around Seattle’s lineup protection and his ability to handle pressure against top pitching, including offspeed sequences Raleigh specifically mentioned in his comments.
– The Vedder Cup trophy adds a cultural layer to the rivalry, tying in Seattle’s music history with its baseball heritage and giving fans a memorable, tangible symbol of the moment.
– If Raleigh maintains even pace, his 60s- to 60s-range projection would position him among the all-time greats for two-way catchers and provide a potential AL MVP conversation as the season winds down.
Summary: Cal Raleigh blasted his 50th homer of the season in a dominant Mariners win over the Padres, joining a select group of Mariners legends and emphasizing his unique ability to homer from both sides of the plate. Seattle rode his power to a convincing 9-6 victory, clinching the Vedder Cup in the process and building momentum toward a strong finish.
Additional note: Raleigh is in the spotlight not only for the historic home run milestone but for the broader implications for Seattle’s offense, the team’s late-season momentum, and the ongoing celebration tied to the Vedder Cup. A positive, hopeful sign for Mariners fans as they push toward the stretch run.