West Wood blvd – 13 May 2026 | Seattle’s catcher cal raleigh finally emerged from a season‑long drought on Tuesday night, snapping a 0‑for‑38 hitless streak with a pair of singles in a decisive 10‑2 victory over the Houston Astros. The breakthrough came after an unconventional ritual: on the advice of pitcher Logan Gilbert, Raleigh took a full‑uniform shower in the clubhouse, hoping to wash away the bad mojo that seemed to cling to his bat.
The ritual appeared to work. In the seventh inning, Raleigh connected with a line drive to centre field, his first hit since April 27. He followed the hit with a confident smile, acknowledging the dugout’s cheers while joking that he was “rolling my eyes” at the inevitable hype. The single set the stage for a run‑scoring double by teammate Randy Arozarena, who drove in the go‑ahead run and finished the night with four hits and three RBIs.
Raleigh’s resurgence was a bright spot in a game that featured several other Mariners milestones. Dominic Canzone delivered his first career grand slam, a pivotal moment that pushed the lead to 6‑2 and contributed five RBIs overall. Starting pitcher Bryan Woo dominated on the mound, logging six strong innings with nine strikeouts while allowing just two runs, four hits, and two walks, bringing his ERA to a respectable 3.91.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the underlying narrative remains complex. Prior to the win, Raleigh was mired in what analysts are calling the longest hitless streak in MLB this season, and the longest after a 40‑home‑run campaign in the live‑ball era. His season line had slipped to .166/.249/.325 with seven homers, a stark contrast to his previous year’s MVP‑runner‑up performance that featured 60 home runs and a Silver Slugger award.
Baseball experts point to a combination of factors contributing to the slump. While Raleigh’s swing mechanics have not dramatically changed, a noticeable decline in exit velocity—down four miles per hour—suggests timing issues against higher‑velocity fastballs. Additionally, his strikeout rate has risen sharply, with 54 strikeouts in 39 games, and his on‑base percentage has dipped to .238. These metrics have placed him near the bottom of qualified hitters in the league.
Team manager Dan Wilson praised Raleigh’s perseverance, noting that the morale boost from the hit was palpable throughout the clubhouse. “We were all screaming for him and it was a lot of relief,” Wilson said, emphasizing the importance of a single player’s confidence to the collective performance of the team.
Looking ahead, the Mariners aim to capitalize on the momentum. The series against the Astros continues, with the road trip concluding Thursday in Houston. The organization is also monitoring the development of rookie pitcher Domingo González, who made his major‑league debut in the ninth inning, striking out his first batter. Additionally, Bryce Miller is slated to start the next game, a move that could reshape the rotation if he showcases the same quality seen in his rehab outings.
Raleigh’s story underscores the volatile nature of baseball performance, where a player can swing from historic power numbers to an extended slump within a single season. His recent success offers a glimmer of hope that the slump may be a temporary blip rather than a permanent decline. For the Mariners, breaking the streak not only lifts a personal burden but also injects much‑needed energy into a team fighting to stay above .500 as the season progresses.
In the broader context of the league, Raleigh’s situation serves as a reminder that even elite talent is vulnerable to slumps, and that mental resets—like a full‑uniform shower—can sometimes provide the catalyst needed to turn the tide.