Mariners blank Pirates 6-0 behind Cal Raleigh and Bryan Woo

Cal Raleigh ties a Seattle Mariners record, while Bryan Woo continues to show why he’s baseball’s iron man among pitchers.

The fourth of July turned out to be a special occasion for the Seattle Mariners and their fans, and not just because it’s the date when the United States celebrates the anniversary of their independence in 1776. The M’s also put together a strong performance in front of 33,061 in attendance at T-Mobile Park and beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-0.

There was plenty of praise to go around on the day, but the majority of it was directed at two particular individuals and quite rightly so. Cal Raleigh tied a team record, while Bryan Woo continued to make the case that he’s baseball’s iron man among starting pitchers.

Cal Raleigh continues his record-setting season

Beginning with Raleigh, he opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first and followed this up with a solo blast in the bottom of the sixth, to increase the Mariners’ lead to 4-0. He now leads the majors with 35 home runs (as well as 74 RBI), but this is only the tip of the iceberg.

We’ve effectively only just passed the halfway-point of the 2025 season, but Raleigh’s 35 home runs already represent a career-high, just one year after finishing the campaign with 34. He also now has 128 career home runs, which equals Hall of Famer Mike Piazza for the most ever by a catcher through their first five Major League seasons.

However, Raleigh also tied Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr. for the most home runs in team history prior to the All-Star break and with still eight more games to go to break that record. And whisper it quietly at this stage, but the chase for Griffey’s all-time M’s record of 56 homers in a season — achieved twice in 1997 and 1998 — is also very much on.

Raleigh is the ultimate clubhouse leader and team player, but he maintains a humble attitude which is extremely refreshing. Discussing Griffey with the media after the game, he said:

“To be mentioned with that name, with somebody who’s just iconic, is a legend, is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, I’m just blessed. I’m just trying to do the right thing and trying to keep it rolling. If I can try to be like that guy, it’s a good guy to look up to.”

As with most other people, Mariners manager Dan Wilson is amazed by what Raleigh has been doing so far this season. He said:

“Just being in awe, like you are of Cal. You feel like one home run, you’re like, ‘Oh man, that’s super majestic.’ And then the next one is maybe even better. And it just continues. … He’s just seeing the ball well, and if he gets the barrel to it, it’s got a chance.”

Mariners could have a second All-Star in Bryan Woo

Turning to Woo, he continues to make the case that he should be joining Raleigh at this year’s All-Star Game in Atlanta, Georgia. He has become the Mariners staff ace in all but name, as the more consistent starter on what is a quality rotation.

Woo allowed just three hits and two walks over 6.0 innings of shutout pitching, before turning the ball over to Eduard Bazardo and Trent Thornton in the bullpen to finish the job. His 2.6 bWAR easily leads all Mariners pitchers, as he is well on course for the best season yet of his three years in the majors.

Arguably most impressive of all though, Woo has now gone at least 6.0 innings in all 17 of his starts this season. He’s the only pitcher in baseball who can make this claim, and he is now three more similar starts away from equalling Randy Johnson’s team record to begin a season.

Another intriguing thing to note about Woo is that he’s one of just two pitchers with a sub-3.00 ERA, 100+ strikeouts and 20-or-fewer walks this season. The other is Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, who just so happens to be the reigning AL Cy Young winner.

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Bryan Woo still has more to give the Mariners

Following the injury and durability issues Woo encountered during his first two years in the majors, he was asked how he feels as of right now from a health and endurance perspective. He said:

“I feel really good. I feel like I’m slowly just learning more about myself and the routine throughout the week and preparing your body for such a long year. But it’s really just trying to take it day-by-day. It’s so cliche and everybody says it, but it’s so true. Just how can I get better today and how can I maximize my time.”

Whether or not Woo does become an All-Star this year, it’s scary for the rest of the league to consider that he can still take his game to another level. This is something Raleigh firmly believes, as he said:

“I still think he can take that next step, even higher. We’re talking next-level stuff, one of the best pitchers in the league. So he’s already had that caliber, but I still think there’s some more in the tank.”

With the win the Mariners improved to 46-42, still 7.0 games behind the Houston Astros at the AL West summit, but also with a 2.5 game lead for the final wild card spot in the AL. Luis Castillo will take the ball on Saturday night, while George Kirby will be on the mound for Sunday afternoon’s series finale versus the Pirates.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rodgers Photography

Where do you rank Woo within the Mariners rotation? Is he already the second-best starter on the team? Would you even make a case for him now being above Logan Gilbert as the staff ace? Let us know in the comments section below.