Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh has grabbed the attention of baseball fans everywhere.
Raleigh also has captured the attention of opposing pitchers wherever he goes. He has astonished his teammates, as well, during a season in which he has belted 32 home runs in his first 76 games.
The majors’ leading home run hitter will look to stay hot when the Mariners take on the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday evening in Minneapolis. Seattle will aim for back-to-back victories over the Twins after pulling away for an 11-2 win in the series opener Monday night.
As he often does, Raleigh played a role in the offense. He blasted a two-run homer in the ninth to give him homers in each of his past four games and six homers in his past six games.
“It’s unbelievable what we’re watching,” said Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez, who also homered in the series opener. “I feel like that’s something that we have never seen before. Coming from a catcher, too — what he’s doing is so special. I’m very happy for him. It feels really good to see him succeed.”
As the Mariners are rocking, the Twins are reeling.
Minnesota has lost 10 of its past 11 games, including the past four in a row at home. The Twins have been outscored 46-16 in the first four games of their homestand.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli acknowledged that his team is in a brutal slump.
“It’s been a little on the repetitive side lately, not playing complete ballgames and just simply not playing winning baseball,” Baldelli said. “We know that. But I’ll say it again: You have to walk around with your shoulders back and your chest out and continue on the way that you know how to work and prepare.
“If you’re good enough in this game, it does turn. It’s going to turn.”
Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo (4-5, 3.38 ERA) is looking to snap a five-game winless drought despite the fact that he has posted back-to-back quality starts.
In his most recent outing last Wednesday, Castillo limited the Boston Red Sox to three runs on three hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out five.
The 32-year-old Castillo has made eight starts against the Twins in his career. He is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA in those outings, and he has racked up 46 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings.
The Twins will counter with right-hander Chris Paddack (3-6, 4.48), who is seeking back-to-back wins for the second time this season.
Last Thursday, Paddack got the victory despite allowing four runs on six hits in five innings against the Cincinnati Reds. He struck out three without a walk.
Paddack has faced the Mariners six times in his career. He is 4-1 with a 2.17 ERA, and he has held Seattle to nine runs on 25 hits in 37 1/3 innings. He has walked eight and struck out 45.
–Field Level Media
