Sat Jul 05 03:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Raleigh Blasts His Way Into Mariners History, Ties Griffey Jr. Record

**SEATTLE** – Cal Raleigh etched his name into Seattle Mariners lore on Friday night, hitting his 34th and 35th home runs of the season in a 6-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The two blasts not only secured a career high for the Mariners catcher, but also tied Ken Griffey Jr.’s franchise record for home runs before the All-Star break.

Raleigh, who currently leads Major League Baseball in home runs, obliterated a Bailey Falter fastball in the first inning, sending the two-run shot soaring over the left-field wall with a blistering 115.2 mph exit velocity – the hardest-hit ball of his career. He then surpassed his previous season high in the sixth inning with a solo shot that chased Falter from the game. Randy Arozarena added another homer in the fourth, accounting for all of the Mariners’ offense.

Raleigh’s impressive 35 home runs before the All-Star break tie him for the fifth-most in MLB history since 1933, alongside Griffey (1998) and Luis Gonzalez (2001). The record remains with Barry Bonds, who slugged 39 before the break in 2001.

“To be mentioned with that name, somebody that’s just iconic, a legend, first-ballot Hall of Famer, I’m just blessed,” Raleigh said, expressing his admiration for Griffey. “Trying to do the right thing and trying to keep it rolling. If I can try to be like that guy, it’s a good guy to look up to.”

Raleigh’s current pace projects to 65 home runs for the season, which would surpass Aaron Judge’s American League record of 62 set in 2022.

Mariners Manager Dan Wilson, a former teammate of Griffey Jr., marveled at Raleigh’s explosive start. “It’s remarkable,” Wilson said. “It feels like he hits a home run every game, that’s what it feels like. And I can remember feeling it as a player, that [Griffey] just felt like he hit a home run every day. Again, that’s the consistency that [Raleigh] has shown.”

The switch-hitting Raleigh boasts more home runs from both sides of the plate than any other Mariner, with 21 from the left side and 14 from the right.

With eight games remaining before the All-Star break, baseball fans are eager to see if Raleigh can continue his historic power surge and challenge Bonds’ pre-break record.

*(The Associated Press and ESPN Research contributed to this report.)*

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