Arozarena, Raleigh power Mariners to victory over Royals

The Seattle Times on Jul 1, 2025

Published in Baseball

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Randy Arozarena was the star of the main set.

Cal Raleigh provided the encore.

The middle of the lineup brought the thump on Monday night, as the Mariners opened a seven-game homestand with a 6-2 win over the Kansas City Royals before 27,309 at T-Mobile Park.

Arozarena homered twice off Kansas City starter Michael Wacha. The first was the 100 th career homer for Arozarena and the second was a three-run shot that turned a 2-1 game into a 5-1 Mariners lead.

And then it was Raleigh’s turn to add a little flourish on the day the second phase of All-Star Game voting started.

While it seems a foregone conclusion that Raleigh will be the starting catcher for the American League in the midsummer classic two weeks from now in Atlanta, the Mariners are going all-out with their push to make sure their guy is the one behind the plate.

Moments like what he provided in the seventh inning will only help solidify his spot. Leading off against Kansas City reliever Daniel Lynch IV, Raleigh drove a 2-1 curveball that was off the plate out to right-center field for his 33 rd homer of the season.

In doing so, Raleigh became just the fifth player in baseball history to hit at least 33 homers before the end of June joining Ken Griffey Jr. (1998), Sammy Sosa (1998), Mark McGwire (1998) and Barry Bonds (2001).

He also reached 70 RBI, becoming the fastest Mariners player to reach that mark since Bret Boone almost reached the mark in the 84 th game of the 2003 season.

It was also the final exclamation that ensured after a long weekend in Texas, there wouldn’t be extra innings on this night.

While Raleigh continued adding to his record season, the two homers from Arozarena might have been more important.

He also reached 70 RBI, becoming the fastest Mariners player to reach that mark since Bret Boone almost reached the mark in the 84 th game of the 2003 season.

It was also the final exclamation that ensured after a long weekend in Texas, there wouldn’t be extra innings on this night.

While Raleigh continued adding to his record season, the two homers from Arozarena might have been more important.

An inning later, the Mariners loaded the bases with no outs and Raleigh at the plate. With most of the entire lower bowl standing and chanting “MVP,” Raleigh settled for a fly ball deep enough to score Cole Young for a 2-1 lead.

But Arozarena made sure there was more. This time it was an elevated fastball that Arozarena punched out to center field. He entered the game just 2 for 16 all-time against Wacha.

And in one of those random only-in-baseball stats, Arozarena has now homered on the 30 th of the month in three straight months — not to mention the homer he hit on March 31 as well.

Somewhat lost in the homers from the middle of the lineup was a strong six innings on the mound from George Kirby. The numbers were almost a mirror of Kirby’s last start against Minnesota. He pitched six innings, again. He allowed only one earned run, again. He gave up only three hits, again.

The differences this time: Kirby (2-4) struck out five and walked none after striking out only three and walking one against the Twins.

Oh, and he got the win.

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