Breaking: Cal Raleigh Takes Responsibility as Mariners’ Losing Streak Reaches Five — “I’m Awful,” Star Catcher Admits
NEW YORK — Cal Raleigh did not try to hide from the Seattle Mariners’ latest setback. Following a disappointing 4-1 defeat against the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, the All-Star catcher openly acknowledged that his own struggles have contributed to his team’s difficult stretch.
Raleigh entered the contest hitting just .159, with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs. Those numbers are a dramatic decline from his outstanding 2025 campaign, when he finished second in the American League MVP voting behind Aaron Judge. After another difficult night at the plate, Raleigh accepted responsibility for Seattle’s struggles.
“It’s not good. We’re not playing well. That starts with me. I’m awful,” Raleigh admitted after the game.
The defeat marked Seattle’s fifth consecutive loss and its 14th defeat in its previous 19 games. The Mariners have struggled badly offensively during the skid, scoring only five runs across their last five games and just nine runs over their previous seven.
Raleigh went 0-for-4 against New York and struck out twice as the Mariners’ offense was largely shut down by Yankees pitching. New York starter Ryan Weathers delivered an impressive performance, carrying a one-hit shutout deep into the sixth inning before the Yankees eventually secured the victory.
Ryan McMahon and Trent Grisham provided the key offensive production for New York, each delivering two-run singles as the Yankees strengthened their position in the American League wild-card race.
For Seattle, the loss pushed the club to a season-low eight games below .500, increasing the pressure on players and coaches to turn things around quickly.
Raleigh acknowledged that the team needs more than simply better hitting. He believes Seattle must improve its energy, execution and attention to detail if it hopes to recover from its current slump.
“We’ve got to pick it up, from the energy standpoint, to the execution, to the little things in the game that help you win baseball games,” Raleigh said. “We’re just not doing those things right now.”
The catcher also reflected on the mental challenges that come with struggling individually while the team is losing. Despite the frustration, he emphasized that players must maintain confidence and continue bringing intensity to every game.
Raleigh’s current statistics stand in stark contrast to his production at the same point last season. Through 86 games in 2025, he was batting .271 with 35 home runs and 74 RBIs, putting together one of the best offensive seasons of his career.
This season, however, his struggles have become increasingly difficult to ignore.
“The approach is just not there to me,” Raleigh explained. “It’s off-balance swings, late to the heater and early on the off-speed. I’m not pointing fingers. I’m ultimately the worst of the group right now.”
Despite Raleigh’s struggles, Seattle received another strong pitching performance from Bryan Woo. The right-hander completed five innings without allowing a run, continuing his recent run of impressive starts. Unfortunately for Woo, the Mariners’ offense could not provide enough support.
Raleigh believes Seattle may also need to change its offensive philosophy. Instead of constantly looking for home runs, he suggested that the club should focus on making contact, taking singles and using the entire field.
“Sometimes baseball players can be stubborn, but we’ve just got to put our pride aside,” Raleigh said.
The Mariners are now facing a crucial stretch of their season, having opened a challenging nine-game road trip against three teams currently in playoff contention. With their offense struggling and Raleigh searching for answers, Seattle must quickly rediscover its form before the losing streak causes even greater damage to its postseason ambitions.
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