MLB roundup: Cal Raleigh makes history with HRs 55, 56

Mariners keep rolling as Raleigh makes history

Cal Raleigh cemented his name in the record books by breaking Mickey Mantle’s long-standing mark for home runs by a switch hitter in a single season. His 55th blast came in the third inning, sneaking just inside the foul pole off Michael Wacha. Raleigh wasn’t finished — in the fourth he added his 56th homer, this time from the right side of the plate against Daniel Lynch IV, matching Ken Griffey Jr.’s iconic club record. The power surge helped fuel the Mariners’ 12-5 win over the Royals and stretched Seattle’s winning streak to 10 games. Dominic Canzone made sure the night wasn’t only about Raleigh, going a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with three home runs of his own. Seattle’s lineup has been one of the hottest in baseball during September, making them a dangerous club both on the field and at the sportsbooks. Learn more about betting MLB moneylines.

Phillies 9, Dodgers 6

The Philadelphia Phillies stormed back late to steal a win against the Dodgers, thanks to Rafael Marchan’s three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning. Philadelphia had already put together a huge six-run sixth inning with home runs from Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler, swinging momentum after Shohei Ohtani dominated early. Ohtani opened the game with five hitless innings and also added his 50th home run of the season at the plate, showing why he remains the most unique player in baseball. Yet the Dodgers’ bullpen faltered, with Blake Treinen giving up the deciding runs in the ninth. Philadelphia’s offensive depth showed once again, and bettors who stayed with the Phillies despite Ohtani’s hot start cashed in big.

Cubs 4, Pirates 1

The Chicago Cubs jumped on Pittsburgh immediately as Michael Busch led off the game with a home run, setting the tone for a night where he collected two doubles as well. Nico Hoerner added three hits and provided steady production throughout the game, while rookie starter Cade Horton continued his impressive stretch. Horton gave up just one run across five innings, improving to 8-1 over his last 10 starts and solidifying himself as one of the most reliable young arms down the stretch. The Pirates couldn’t get much going against Chicago’s pitching, with only an early RBI triple from Oneil Cruz keeping them on the board. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh’s ace, struggled through 3 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. Chicago continues to make strides in the National League Central race, while Pittsburgh slipped further away from contention.

Guardians 7, Tigers 5 (10 innings)

Cleveland and Detroit battled deep into extra innings before Steven Kwan delivered the decisive blow with an RBI double in the top of the 10th inning. That hit sparked a four-run rally that gave the Guardians control of the game after Kerry Carpenter had stunned them with a ninth-inning home run to tie it. Kwan’s hit scored Brayan Rocchio, and Gabriel Arias added a two-run homer to extend the cushion. Detroit didn’t go away quietly, though, as Spencer Torkelson blasted a two-run shot in the bottom half to keep the Tigers alive. Ultimately, Cleveland held on to secure a key victory in a tightly contested AL Central race.

Blue Jays 6, Rays 5

The Toronto Blue Jays pushed their winning streak to six games behind a well-balanced offensive attack led by George Springer, who recorded three hits and drove in two runs. Toronto continued its surge in the American League East with support from Nathan Lukes and Joey Loperfido, who both went deep. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger chipped in with key RBIs, showing the lineup’s depth. Tampa Bay briefly looked like it might steal the game thanks to Brandon Lowe’s controversial three-run homer, but the Rays’ bullpen failed to hold Toronto down. The Rays have now dropped six of their past seven, while Toronto is riding serious momentum into the final stretch of the season.

Yankees 10, Twins 9

The New York Yankees built what looked like an insurmountable 10-1 lead in Minnesota, only to hold on by a single run in a wild finish. Trent Grisham’s three RBIs, including a big home run, set the early tone alongside Giancarlo Stanton’s clutch hits. The Yankees’ bullpen made things interesting as Minnesota stormed back late with long balls from Ryan Fitzgerald, James Outman, and Trevor Larnach. Despite the comeback attempt, David Bednar notched his 25th save, preserving the win for New York. The result kept the Yankees alive in the playoff chase while Minnesota was left frustrated after a missed opportunity to climb the AL Central standings.

Diamondbacks 6, Giants 5

Arizona stayed firmly in the National League wild-card hunt by walking off the Giants in the ninth inning. Jordan Lawlar chopped a slow roller toward the mound and beat it out for an infield single, bringing home the winning run. Adrian Del Castillo supplied the power with a two-run homer earlier, and Corbin Carroll chipped in with three hits. The Diamondbacks have now won four straight and are showing signs of the same late-season surge that carried them last year. San Francisco, on the other hand, continues to slide, losing its fourth straight despite homers from Wilmer Flores and Jerar Encarnacion. For Arizona backers, the ninth-inning rally kept tickets alive and confidence high moving forward.

Mets 8, Padres 3

The New York Mets wasted no time putting pressure on San Diego, plating five runs in the first inning capped by Brett Baty’s home run. Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Cedric Mullins all joined the power parade with homers of their own, providing more than enough support for Sean Manaea, who tossed five solid innings in relief. San Diego’s Michael King had no answers, giving up eight runs in just over three innings. The Mets, who continue to jockey for the final NL wild-card position, leaned on both star power and depth to put together one of their most complete games of the season.

Cardinals 3, Reds 0

Michael McGreevy delivered a dominant seven-inning outing, scattering three hits, as the St. Louis Cardinals shut out the Cincinnati Reds. With JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien combining to close the door, the pitching staff completely controlled the game. Thomas Saggese provided the necessary offense, launching a two-run homer that gave the Cardinals the cushion they needed. For Cincinnati, the loss was costly in the wild-card race as starter Andrew Abbott gave up three runs in less than five innings. The Reds now sit three games behind the Mets in the standings, with time running out.

Astros 6, Rangers 5

Houston took another step forward in the AL West race by edging rival Texas in a tightly contested matchup. Jeremy Peña anchored the Astros’ offense with three hits, while Jose Altuve and Jesús Sánchez each drove in a pair. Houston’s bullpen held on late after Colton Gordon gave the club three key innings of one-run ball. Texas starter Merrill Kelly couldn’t find his rhythm, giving up six runs in just over three innings as the Rangers dropped their third straight. The Astros’ win kept them just a half-game back of Seattle for the division lead, setting up a dramatic finish to the season.

Athletics 2, Red Sox 1

The Oakland Athletics pulled off a gritty win in Boston thanks to Brett Harris’ go-ahead single in the sixth inning. Harris and Tyler Soderstrom combined for four hits and both figured in the decisive rally. Oakland’s bullpen duo of Mitch Spence and Hogan Harris shut the door with five innings of scoreless work. Trevor Story was Boston’s lone bright spot, recording three hits and swiping two bases, becoming just the fourth player since 1961 to start a season 30-for-30 on steals. The Red Sox dropped a tough one, slipping a half-game behind Houston in the AL wild-card race.

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Brewers 9, Angels 2

Milwaukee flexed its muscle behind Christian Yelich’s two-run homer and a dominant outing from Freddy Peralta, who picked up his league-leading 17th win. Peralta struck out 10 and allowed just two hits, including a solo homer, across six innings. William Contreras added two RBIs as the Brewers comfortably handled the Angels. Los Angeles had little resistance, managing only two home runs in a game that further underscored its struggles. Milwaukee looks poised to lock up the NL Central, rewarding bettors who have consistently backed their aces.

Braves sweep Nationals

The Atlanta Braves continued to roll with a doubleheader sweep of the Washington Nationals. In the opener, Matt Olson extended his home run streak to four games while Jose Suarez struck out a career-high nine batters in a 6-3 win. In the nightcap, Atlanta broke through in the 10th inning as Drake Baldwin’s pinch-hit double opened a five-run frame, capped by Olson’s three-run triple. Chris Sale tossed eight shutout innings before Tyler Kinley earned the win in relief. The Braves’ depth and power were on full display, extending their winning streak to four.

Orioles 8, White Sox 7

Baltimore picked up a hard-fought road win in Chicago behind Dylan Beavers and Gunnar Henderson, who combined for five RBIs. Dean Kremer gave the Orioles nearly six innings of steady work, and the bullpen survived a late push from the White Sox. Baltimore has now won back-to-back games after a skid, keeping their AL East title hopes alive. Chicago, meanwhile, lost its fifth straight and continues to search for answers during a rough stretch.

Marlins 6, Rockies 5

Miami used strong pitching from Eury Pérez, who tossed five shutout innings before a rain delay cut his outing short. The Marlins’ offense was steady throughout, with Heriberto Hernandez, Eric Wagaman, and Javier Sanoja each collecting two hits. Colorado made a push late behind Mickey Moniak’s three-run homer and Kyle Karros’ production, but the Rockies fell short once again, losing for the 20th time in 24 games. Miami continues to play spoiler in the NL while developing its young core.

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Sal Lombardi
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