Mariners' Cal Raleigh ends home run drought

Slugger hits first homer of 2026 season after 10-game slump

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:39am

An abstract, energetic painting in neon colors depicting the explosive motion of a baseball player swinging and connecting with the ball, conceptually representing the excitement and impact of a home run.Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh's timely home run provides a much-needed power boost for the team's playoff push.Arlington Today

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hit his first home run of the 2026 MLB season, ending a 10-game drought. Raleigh's solo shot came in the top of the 7th inning against the Texas Rangers in Arlington.

Why it matters

As one of the Mariners' top offensive threats, Raleigh's power outage had been a concern for the team's playoff hopes. His ability to provide timely home runs is crucial to the Mariners' lineup and their push to return to the postseason.

The details

Raleigh's home run came with two outs in the top of the 7th inning, giving the Mariners a 3-2 lead over the Rangers. It was his first long ball since the season opener on March 30th, ending a 10-game stretch without a homer.

  • The game took place on April 7, 2026.
  • Raleigh's home run came in the top of the 7th inning.

The players

Cal Raleigh

A catcher for the Seattle Mariners who is known for his power hitting.

Seattle Mariners

A Major League Baseball team based in Seattle, Washington.

Texas Rangers

A Major League Baseball team based in Arlington, Texas.

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What they’re saying

“It was a big relief to finally get that first one out of the way. Hopefully it gets me going and I can start contributing more power to the lineup.”

— Cal Raleigh

What’s next

The Mariners will look for Raleigh to build on this performance as they continue their series against the Rangers over the weekend.

The takeaway

Raleigh's home run is a positive sign for the Mariners, who need their slugger to regain his power stroke to remain in playoff contention in the competitive AL West division.