MLB: Rest Day For "Big Dumper" Cal Raleigh Sits After Tying Ken Griffey Jr. in Mariners History

SEATTLE — After launching his MLB-leading 39th home run Tuesday night, Cal Raleigh earned a well-deserved breather on Wednesday as the Seattle Mariners faced the Milwaukee Brewers without their biggest bat in the lineup.

Raleigh’s solo shot in the sixth inning proved to be the difference-maker in a tense 1–0 victory, but it also etched his name into Mariners history. The blast marked his 132nd career home run, tying Ken Griffey Jr. for the most home runs in a Mariner’s first five seasons.

With Raleigh resting, Mitch Garver took over catching duties and slotted in at sixth in the batting order. Jorge Polanco served as the designated hitter, batting cleanup.

The timing makes sense—Raleigh has been red-hot, and just days ago, he smashed two home runs in Detroit on July 11 to reach 38 before the All-Star break, making him the second-most prolific pre-break slugger in MLB history. He followed that feat by winning the 2025 Home Run Derby, cementing his place as one of baseball’s elite power hitters.

For the Mariners, this isn’t just about rest—it’s about protecting the league’s most dangerous bat as the playoff push begins to heat up.

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Cal Raleigh is doing things in Seattle that even Griffey would admire. Tying The Kid in your first five seasons? That’s not just impressive—it’s generational. Letting him rest now? That’s smart baseball. The Mariners know their October hopes ride on keeping Big Dumper fresh and firing.