Raleigh hits career-high 3 HRs; M's end Phils' run
Cal Raleigh busted out of a season-long slump with the first three-homer game of his career as the Mariners stopped the Phillies' season-best winning streak at nine games with a 9-2 victory Monday night.
Cal Raleigh's breakout performance is a huge boost to the Mariners, who are looking to make a push for the playoffs. The 25-year-old catcher has been under pressure to live up to his promising rookie season, and this three-homer game is a huge confidence builder. It's also a big win for the Mariners, who have been trying to gain ground in the competitive AL West.
The Phillies, on the other hand, were riding high after a nine-game winning streak that had them thinking they could make a deep postseason run. But this loss puts their momentum on pause, and they'll need to regroup quickly to stay in the NL East chase. The Phillies have been getting contributions from all over their lineup, but their pitching staff has been a key factor in their recent success - they'll need to bounce back from a rough outing against the Mariners.
What's next to watch is how Raleigh builds on this performance, and whether the Mariners can keep playing winning baseball down the stretch. The trade deadline is just around the corner, and teams are looking to make moves to bolster their rosters. Will the Mariners make any moves to support their young core, or will they stick with what they've got? Meanwhile, the Phillies will try to get back on track when they host the Mets on Tuesday - can they rebound and keep their winning streak alive?
Originally reported by espn.com. TourNews adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.