Cal Raleigh crosses hitting milestone, leads Mariners in win over Angels

ANAHEIM, CA (AP) — In the sixth inning of the Seattle Mariners’ 7-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday, Cal Raleigh hit a game-winning single home run, becoming the first player to smash 40 home runs this season.

Raleigh hit his second home run in eight games since winning the Home Run Derby when he smashed a 97 mph fastball from Jos Fermin (2-2) 416 feet into the right-field seats.

Randy Arozarena also hit a home run for the Mariners, while Julio Rodriguez hit his fourth solo home run in three games at Angel Stadium.

Despite falling short of his 14-strikeout performance at Angel Stadium last month, George Kirby (5-5) earned his fourth victory in five starts by striking out nine over six challenging innings of five-hit ball. With the bases loaded, Kirby ended the sixth inning by fannering Luis Rengifo on a slider.

For the Angels, who have dropped five of six games, Taylor Ward hit his 24th home run.

Tyler Anderson pitched inefficiently until the fifth inning, giving up two runs and six hits. After four outings, the veteran left-hander and potential Angels trade candidate has a 5.66 ERA.

In addition to his solitary home run on Thursday and two more in the Mariners’ defeat on Friday, Rodriguez hit a home run in the third inning, his 18th of the season.

For the fifth straight season, Arozarena hit his 20th home run to start the fourth inning.

Another Angels trade candidate, Yon Moncada, exited the game in agony after being struck in the hand by Kirby’s fastball. The X-rays came back negative.

Following Raleigh’s home run, Dominic Canzone added two more to Seattle’s advantage with a single in the sixth. Jorge Polanco then scored on Rengifo’s mistake at second base.

Raleigh’s 40 home runs in a season make him the eighth catcher in major league history. Mike Piazza and Johnny Bench have done it twice, for a total of nine times.

Los Angeles’ Kyle Hendricks (5-7, 4.92 ERA) will face Logan Gilbert (3-3, 3.07) in the series finale on Sunday.