Mariners' Cal Raleigh ready to take aim at Yankees
Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge will be in the spotlight this week for their prolific power but so will the Seattle Mariners' pitching staff.
While Raleigh attempts to add to his major league-leading home run total, the Mariners will try to contain Judge and extend their 29 2/3-inning scoreless streak Tuesday night when they visit the New York Yankees for the opener of a three-game series.
Raleigh's 35 homers matched Hall of Fame member Ken Griffey Jr. (1998) for the most homers in team history before the All-Star break. He is four shy of the major league record set by Barry Bonds with the San Francisco Giants in 2001.
Raleigh hit two homers Friday in a 6-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates and has nine homers in his past 18 games. Those homers were his only hits of the series, with the Mariners posting consecutive 1-0 victories on Saturday and Sunday, and he is 2-for-17 over his past five games.
'We saw him earlier in the year,' Judge said. 'He's a complete hitter. He hits the ball over the park. Being able to be a switch hitter like that and have both your swings on like that, it's impressive. So excited to see him.'
Judge is two behind Raleigh in the home run race. Judge hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning as the Yankees stopped their second six-game losing streak this season with a 6-4 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday.
Judge enters the final six games before the All-Star break on a 17-game on-base streak and is two shy of 350 homers for his career. He has gone deep five times in his past eight games.
Judge's homer Sunday gave the Yankees a 5-0 lead and New York relied on its defense the rest of the way by turning double plays in three straight innings, including one started by left fielder Cody Bellinger in the seventh to protect a two-run lead.
The Yankees entered the week three games out of first place in the American League East after holding a seven-game lead through May 28. Since then, New York is 14-21 in its past 35 games and 7-16 over its past 23.
'You're going to be tested,' Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. 'You're going to face moments of adversity and where you've got to (deliver), and I think it's all good prep for hopefully when we're playing even more important games later in the year.'
The Yankees' next test involves facing a pitching staff with a 1.83 ERA in its past six games. Seattle has not allowed a run since Carlos Vargas gave up a two-run single to Vinnie Pasquantino in the seventh inning of Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
Seattle is coming off a third straight shutout as George Kirby allowed four hits in 6 1/3 innings and combined with three relievers on a five-hitter Sunday against the Pirates.
'I think we're all hitting our stride a little bit,' Kirby said. 'Just have to keep going six, seven, eight innings.'
Right-hander Logan Gilbert (2-2, 3.40 ERA) opens the series for the Mariners. Gilbert allowed one run on three hits in 4 2/3 innings Wednesday against the Royals.
Gilbert was on the injured list when the Mariners hosted the Yankees in May and is 2-2 with a 6.54 ERA in six career starts against New York.
Rookie Will Warren (5-4, 5.02), who allowed eight runs on 10 hits in four innings during an 11-9 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, starts for New York.
Warren took a no-decision in Seattle on May 14 when he allowed two runs on four hits in five innings.
--Field Level Media
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