Cal Raleigh’s 43rd Homer Lifts Mariners Over Rays 3-2: Seattle Wins Fifth Straight on Aug. 8, 2025

Saturday, August 9th, 2025

Seattle Mariners Rally Late to Defeat Tampa Bay Rays 3-2

The Seattle Mariners secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, thanks to a go-ahead, three-run home run from Cal Raleigh in the eighth inning. This thrilling win at T-Mobile Park marked the Mariners' fifth straight victory as they continue their pursuit of the AL West-leading Houston Astros.

Cal Raleigh Powers the Comeback

With Seattle trailing by two runs, Cal Raleigh delivered a crucial moment with his MLB-leading 43rd homer of the season—a 417-foot blast to right-center field. The long ball came after back-to-back singles from J.P. Crawford and Cole Young, instantly erasing Tampa Bay’s lead and shifting the game's momentum.

Mariners’ Bullpen Slams the Door

Carlos Vargas held Tampa Bay scoreless in the eighth inning, setting up Matt Brash, who struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth to earn his second save of the year. The Mariners’ relief pitching preserved the comeback and sealed the tight win.

Rays Take Early Lead

Brandon Lowe opened the scoring for the Rays with a solo homer in the first inning, followed by Junior Caminero’s 31st home run of the season in the fifth. This gave Tampa Bay a 2-0 edge heading into the late innings.

Strong Outings From Both Starting Pitchers

Drew Rasmussen was brilliant for the Rays, tossing six shutout innings and allowing just four hits with four strikeouts and no walks. In contrast, Mariners starter Luis Castillo gave up two runs on five hits while striking out five over seven innings, keeping his team within striking distance.

Key Moment

The turning point arrived in the eighth inning as Cole Young’s single advanced J.P. Crawford to second base, giving the Mariners their first runner in scoring position. Cal Raleigh capitalized with his towering home run on the next at-bat.

Key Stat

Drew Rasmussen has been tough on opposing lineups, allowing just two extra-base hits over his last five starts. Remarkably, Seattle did not advance a runner into scoring position against Rasmussen.

Up Next

The series continues on Saturday, featuring a pitching matchup between Joe Boyle (1-1, 2.30 ERA) for the Rays and Logan Evans (5-4, 4.30 ERA) for the Mariners. Saturday’s game will also include a special jersey retirement ceremony honoring Ichiro Suzuki.

In summary

The Seattle Mariners claimed a 3-2 comeback win over the Tampa Bay Rays after Cal Raleigh’s MLB-leading 43rd home run sparked a late rally. Both teams received strong performances from their starting pitchers, with the Mariners ultimately pulling ahead thanks to timely hitting and outstanding bullpen work. Seattle remains in the thick of the AL West race as they look to continue their winning streak in the upcoming series matchup.

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