Cal Raleigh ended a 10-game home run drought on April 6, 2026 with a 418-foot blast off Jacob deGrom at Globe Life Field, capping a rare 12-pitch battle against one of baseball’s most dominant arms. The Mariners catcher, coming off a historic 60-homer 2025 season, delivered the game’s most electric moment in the first inning. Yet Seattle’s offense stalled again, managing just 2 hits in a 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers. As deGrom recovered and locked down the lineup, one towering swing stood alone, highlighting both Raleigh’s resilience and a deeper team-wide collapse.
Twelve Pitches Against Baseball’s Toughest Arm
Facing Jacob deGrom, a 37-year-old two-time Cy Young winner making his 250th career start, Raleigh quickly fell behind 0-2 in the first inning on April 6, 2026. What followed was a rare duel. Raleigh fouled off 6 consecutive pitches with two strikes, refusing to yield against 99 mph heat. On the 12th pitch, a 99.1 mph fastball caught too much plate, and Raleigh delivered a 418-foot blast at 107.8 mph exit velocity, instantly changing the game’s tone, even if momentum proved fleeting.
One Swing, But No Offensive Support
Raleigh’s home run gave Seattle a 1-0 lead, but it also accounted for half of the team’s total hits. The Mariners managed just 2 hits all night, continuing a brutal early-season trend. Entering April 6, their lineup was batting .188, worst in the American League. Even more striking, Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, Josh Naylor, and Randy Arozarena had combined for 128 home runs in 2025, yet opened 2026 with a .137 average and zero homers, leaving one swing unable to carry the entire lineup forward.
deGrom Locks In After One Mistake
Jacob deGrom’s response defined the game. After surrendering Raleigh’s homer, he retired the next 12 batters and finished with 5 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, and 6 strikeouts on 78 pitches. His postgame reflection captured the moment: “I gave up the homer to Cal, and I was like: ‘I’d better lock this in. This might be a pretty close game,'” he said on April 7, 2026. That adjustment kept Texas in control, even as the Mariners searched for answers at the plate.
Rangers Capitalize While Mariners Stall
Texas broke through in the sixth inning when Jake Burger lined a go-ahead RBI double past Randy Arozarena, sealing a 2-1 win at Globe Life Field. The Rangers bullpen preserved the lead, combining with deGrom for a two-hitter while snapping a 4-game losing streak and securing their first home victory of 2026. Seattle, meanwhile, fell deeper into an offensive collapse that extended beyond one night, raising urgent questions about sustainability after their 2025 division title and whether Raleigh’s blast signals recovery or remains an isolated spark.
Sources:
Cal snaps HR drought in 12-pitch battle — but Seattle sluggers still struggling to hit stride. MLB.com, April 6, 2026
Rangers’ deGrom had mild discomfort in right knee before Monday start but feels OK. Associated Press (via NBC Sports), April 7, 2026
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits first HR of season. ESPN, April 6, 2026
60 home runs! Breakdown of Cal Raleigh’s historic 2025 season. ESPN, September 25, 2025
Inside Cal Raleigh’s Early Struggles at the Plate. Last Word On Sports, April 7, 2026
Jake Burger’s RBI double pushes Rangers past Mariners 2-1 (Game Recap). Associated Press (via ESPN), April 7, 2026
