Mariners end 24‑year drought, clinch AL West title
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Cal Raleigh celebrates his 60th homer as Seattle clinches its first AL West title since 2001. Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images
The Mariners clinched the American League West crown Wednesday, ending a 24-year drought and sending the city into October baseball with momentum not imagined a month ago.
Why it matters: The Mariners haven't won the division title since 2001. This run has reignited baseball fever in Seattle, turning skepticism into sold-out ballparks and giving the city a rare chance to rally around a contender.
Driving the news: The M's beat the Colorado Rockies 9-2 in the second game of the series with Cal Raleigh launching his 59th and 60th home runs, making him one of only seven players in MLB history to hit that milestone.
- Seattle's power surge also featured long balls from Julio Rodríguez, Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suárez.
- Luis Castillo dominated on the mound, giving up just one hit and one run over more than seven innings with a season-high 10 strikeouts.
State of play: After a mid-season lull, Seattle found its stride, piling up 16 wins in their last 17 games.
- The run was anchored by Raleigh, who in recent days surpassed Mickey Mantle's home run mark for switch hitters and broke Ken Griffey Jr.'s single-season franchise record.
- During Saturday's game against Houston, Victor Robles' diving catch turned into a double play in the bottom of the ninth that sealed a win.
- Then, Josh Naylor's phenomenal bases-clearing, three-run double in the eighth inning Tuesday erased a deficit and clinched the playoff berth, sparking calls from teammates and fans to lock him down with a long-term deal.
What they're saying: "Might as well go win the whole ... thing," Raleigh said after Tuesday's win over the Rockies.
By the numbers:
- 18 runs vs. Atlanta on Sept. 7: a season high, featuring five homers, including Cal Raleigh's 53rd.
- A seven-run inning against the Astros with a J.P. Crawford grand slam and Raleigh's 58th homer on Sunday.
- 14 strikeouts and six scoreless innings with dominant pitching from George Kirby and Luis Castillo in must-win games this month.
Catch up quick: The Mariners appeared to be cooked by August, playing poorly and slipping down the division.
- The team dropped seven road games in late August, including a sweep by the Phillies in which they gave up 48 hits and burned through their bullpen.
- Fans joked the team was hexed.
- Enter the viral twist: A fan paid an Etsy witch to lift the curse and the team went on a tear.
The bottom line: Few things unite a city as much as a winning team. And, face it: We can use something to celebrate together.
What's next: The playoffs begin Tuesday.