The Seattle Mariners delivered a statement win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night, powered by a historic home run from Cal Raleigh that not only sealed a 6-4 victory but also etched his name atop the franchise record books.
Raleigh’s Home Run Heroics Rewrite Mariners History
With the Mariners clinging to a two-run lead in the third inning,
Cal Raleigh launched his 57th home run of the season, a towering shot off Astros lefty Framber Valdez. That blast didn’t just pad Seattle’s lead—it broke the single-season home run record previously held by Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr., who hit 56 in both 1997 and 1998.
Raleigh’s milestone moment electrified the Mariners’ dugout and sent a clear message to the rest of the American League: Seattle’s offense is peaking at the perfect time.
Mariners’ Pitching Shuts Down Houston
George Kirby was lights-out on the mound, scattering five hits over six scoreless innings and striking out seven Astros. His dominant outing helped Seattle clinch the season series against Houston and gave the Mariners a crucial two-game lead in the AL West with just over a week left in the regular season.
When the Astros threatened in the ninth, All-Star closer
Andrés Muñoz navigated a tense situation—plunking Jake Meyers and walking Jeremy Peña—before right fielder Victor Robles made a game-saving diving catch and turned a double play to secure Muñoz’s 37th save.
Astros’ Playoff Hopes in Jeopardy
The loss was a gut punch for Houston, who now find themselves tied with the surging Cleveland Guardians for the final AL wild card spot, one game behind Boston. With only seven games remaining, the Astros’ postseason fate is suddenly in doubt, while the Mariners are surging at the right time, having won 13 of their last 14 games.
What This Means for the AL Playoff Race
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Seattle now holds the second AL playoff seed, just ahead of Detroit, who have stumbled with five straight losses.
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Houston faces a must-win stretch to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time in years.
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Cal Raleigh is now a legitimate AL MVP contender, his power surge putting him in the national spotlight.
Expert Take: Mariners’ Momentum Is Real
The Mariners’ combination of record-breaking offense and shutdown pitching has them looking like a true World Series threat. Raleigh’s emergence as a power hitter, coupled with Kirby’s consistency, gives Seattle a dynamic one-two punch that could carry them deep into October.
For Houston, the pressure is on. The Astros’ veteran core must regroup quickly if they hope to keep their playoff streak alive.
What’s Next?
The series wraps up Sunday night, with both teams knowing every game could decide their postseason destiny. Mariners fans are dreaming big, while Astros faithful are bracing for a nail-biting finish.
Stay tuned—this AL West race is far from over.
Sources
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2. 2025 MLB Mock Draft: Infield & Pitching Dominate The Top 10
3. Seattle Mariners win 6-4 over Houston Astros for game two series win
4. Sports Betting Lines Online | Best Betting Scores and Odds - Lines ...
5. Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros Box Score, Summary, and Team Stats - September 21, 2025 Gametracker
6. ESPN - Serving Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.
7. Seattle Mariners at Houston Astros Game Story, Scores/Highlights - 09/20/2025
8. 2025 AL MVP Odds Update: Judge Regains Lead Over Cal Raleigh ...
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