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Mariners’ Cal Raleigh Delivers Another Clutch Performance vs. White Sox
When the Seattle Mariners need a clutch hit, Cal Raleigh has proven to be their go-to player. Raleigh delivered the winning hit for a second consecutive game, leading the Mariners to a 4-3 victory over the visiting Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. As the four-game series continues Wednesday night in Seattle, all eyes are on Raleigh to maintain his momentum.
Raleigh’s Recent Heroics
Raleigh hit a walk-off grand slam on Monday, helping the Mariners rally from a four-run deficit to win the series opener 8-4. On Tuesday, Raleigh went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. His crucial double into the right-field corner on a 3-0 count with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning off White Sox reliever John Brebbia brought home the tying and go-ahead runs.
“Timely hitting is everything in this game,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “We’ve lived on both sides of that, and right now we’re living on the right side of it. A lot has to do with Cal Raleigh in those spots.”
Raleigh’s Clutch Stats
Despite batting .211 for the season, Raleigh has excelled in high-pressure situations. In 40 at-bats in the seventh inning or later with the game on the line, he’s hitting .275 with three doubles, four homers, and 18 RBIs. According to Baseball Reference, Raleigh has had six hits in these critical moments that have either tied the score or put the Mariners ahead.
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Mental Approach in High-Pressure Situations
Raleigh attributes his success to a focused, yet simplified approach during clutch moments.
“You really have to be committed to your plan, and whatever it is, you got to live and die by it,” he said. “And Lord knows I’ve died by it many times where it’s gone the other way, but there’s been a lot of times where it does work out. Staying to the big part of the field is a big thing. I’ve heard that from a lot of people.”
Managerial Faith and Strategy
The Mariners’ decision to give Raleigh the green light with a 3-0 count reflects their confidence in him.
“I think with 3-0, you know you’re getting the heater and you’re looking in the middle of the zone,” Raleigh said. “You just want to take a nice, free and easy swing. If you foul it off, you foul it off. That’s kind of how I look at it. You don’t want to get jammed or be late on a fastball. I just want to get the (bat) head out, get extended and try to hit something hard.”
Impact on Opponents
Raleigh’s latest heroics overshadowed the major-league debut of Drew Thorpe, one of Chicago’s top pitching prospects. Thorpe, acquired on March 13 from San Diego in the four-player deal for Dylan Cease, allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over five innings. The right-hander walked two and struck out four. Despite Thorpe’s strong performance, the Mariners’ late rally cost him the win.
Veteran White Sox catcher Martin Maldonado praised Thorpe’s poise and pitch command.
“He threw a couple of changeups and nobody knew they were coming in,” Maldonado said. “Good sweeper, good slider, good fastball. I think he threw the ball really good against the whole lineup.”
Upcoming Matchup
Andrew Vaughn and Paul DeJong homered in the third inning for the White Sox, who fell to 5-28 on the road. On Wednesday, the White Sox will send rookie right-hander Jonathan Cannon (0-1, 5.94 ERA) to the mound, making his first start against the Mariners. Seattle plans to counter with righty Bryce Miller (5-5, 3.81 ERA). Miller is looking to rebound from his worst start of the season, where he allowed seven runs over five innings in a no-decision at Kansas City. Despite the rough outing, Miller is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in one previous start against the White Sox.
