The Seattle Mariners reached a milestone by hosting the Washington Nationals for their 54th game of the 2025 season, marking one-third of the campaign completed. Central to the Mariners’ push has been catcher Cal Raleigh, who will likely make his 53rd appearance, contributing heavily to the club’s success with his outstanding power hitting.

Raleigh, who has occasionally served as a designated hitter, showcased his impact Tuesday by smashing two home runs, raising his tally to 19 this season. This performance helped the Mariners cruise to a commanding 9-1 win over Washington and vaulted him past New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge into the American League West lead for home runs. Only Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, with 20 homers, sits ahead of him in the majors.

Cal Raleigh Focuses on Consistency and Growth at the Plate

With a batting average of .258 this year, Raleigh is on track for career-best numbers, currently pacing for an estimated 57 home runs and 111 RBIs. Beyond his offensive output, Raleigh’s defensive excellence has been recognized with a Platinum Glove award, marking him as one of the league’s premier catchers.

“I’m just trying to be as consistent as possible and do what I do well,” Raleigh shared.“I’m always striving to be a more complete hitter. You never figure this game out. When you think you do, it’ll kick your butt.” —Cal Raleigh, Mariners catcher

Manager Dan Wilson Acknowledges Physical and Mental Toll on Raleigh

Mariners manager Dan Wilson, a veteran catcher with 14 major league seasons, emphasized the demands placed on Raleigh behind the plate and the importance of rest. Although the team aims to provide Raleigh with days as designated hitter to ease the burden, Wilson praised his resilience and leadership.

“I think the idea is try to get him the DH days, which do help at least from the mental grind standpoint and a physical grind standpoint from getting away from behind the plate,” Wilson explained.“But we just talked about it so much, just what he does, and calling the game what he does, and the physical demands. He seems like he gets three or four foul tips every single night back there. And then what he does offensively and to be able to do it as much as he does is remarkable.” —Dan Wilson, Mariners manager

Team Contributions Highlight Mariners’ Dominant Win

Alongside Raleigh’s two-home-run contribution, outfielder Julio Rodriguez also crossed the plate with a home run during the game. On the mound, rookie right-hander Logan Evans delivered a strong performance by allowing only one run on four hits while pitching eight innings. Evans’ preparation included attentively observing Raleigh during batting practice the previous weekend in Houston, underscoring Raleigh’s role as a team leader.

“Cal is like the leader of this team. I think a lot of people know that,” Evans remarked to The Seattle Times.“He has the accolades and all the stuff to kind of back up on why he is, but I don’t think he uses that. I don’t think he goes around saying, like, ‘This is right because I’m a Platinum Glover.’ I think people just respect that about him and know that he shows up each and every day, working as hard as he can.” —Logan Evans, Mariners pitcher

Nationals Manager Reflects on Team’s Offensive Struggles Against Evans

Washington’s lone run came off a powerful 448-foot home run by James Wood to center field in the fourth inning. Nationals manager Dave Martinez acknowledged his team’s difficulties against Evans’ pitching approach.

“We need to be aggressive on that first pitch … we fell behind and then we started chasing,” Martinez observed.“We hit a couple balls in the gap … but when he’s like that and he’s attacking like that, you got to go up there and be ready to hit.” —Dave Martinez, Nationals manager

Upcoming Starting Pitchers Set for Wednesday’s Mariners vs. Nationals Clash

Looking ahead to Wednesday night’s game, the matchup will feature Nationals right-hander Trevor Williams, holding a 2-5 record with a 6.39 ERA, against Seattle’s George Kirby, who is making only his second start this season after recovering from right shoulder inflammation. Williams has performed solidly with a 4.00 ERA but no decisions in two prior outings versus Seattle, while Kirby carries a 0-1 record and 4.15 ERA in two career appearances against Washington.

Significance of Raleigh’s Performance for Mariners’ Season Outlook

Cal Raleigh’s emerging power surge is providing the Seattle Mariners a critical offensive boost as they lead the American League West. His ability to sustain this level of production while managing the physical demands behind the plate adds strategic value to the team’s lineup. With a direct challenge to Shohei Ohtani for the major league home run crown, Raleigh’s continued performance could be a defining factor in Seattle’s post-season aspirations and overall team momentum as the 2025 season progresses.