Cal Raleigh’s Hitless Streak Reaches 36 at Center of Mariners’ 3–1 Win

The Seattle Mariners picked up a key divisional win on Monday night, defeating the Houston Astros 3–1, but the spotlight once again fell on the ongoing struggles of catcher Cal Raleigh. Despite the team’s success, Raleigh’s extended hitless streak remained the dominant storyline.

Raleigh finished 0-for-4 in the game, extending his drought to 0-for-36, the longest hitless stretch by any player in Major League Baseball this season. The slump has now stretched across multiple weeks, raising questions about his early-season form.

The veteran catcher entered the matchup still searching for his first hit since April 27, and his difficulties at the plate continued against a Houston pitching staff that limited Seattle’s lineup overall.

While the Mariners strengthened their position in the American League West race, Raleigh’s struggles added a contrasting narrative to an otherwise positive team result.

1. A Sudden Drop After Historic Power Season

Raleigh’s offensive downturn stands in sharp contrast to his production from the previous year, when he delivered one of the most powerful seasons ever by a catcher. His breakout campaign included 60 home runs and All-Star recognition. That performance also earned him a Silver Slugger Award and placed him in the MVP conversation, elevating expectations heading into the 2026 season. His current struggles have therefore been especially unexpected. Through 38 games this year, Raleigh is batting just .161 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs, reflecting inconsistency at the plate despite occasional power flashes. The gap between his past production and current form has become one of the most notable early-season storylines for Seattle.

2. Streak Gains National Attention

Raleigh’s hitless streak reached 36 consecutive at-bats following Monday’s game, drawing widespread attention across baseball media. The statistic underscores the severity of his current slump. The account Talkin’ Baseball highlighted the stretch on social media, noting it as the longest hitless run by any player in MLB this season. The post amplified discussion around Raleigh’s struggles. The attention has grown in part because of his status as one of the league’s premier power hitters just one season ago. Few players experience such a dramatic swing in production over a short span. Despite the struggles, Raleigh has continued to receive consistent playing time, reflecting the Mariners’ belief in his ability to rebound.

3. Mariners Keep Winning Amid Offensive Concerns

Even with Raleigh’s ongoing slump, Seattle managed to secure a crucial divisional win. Julio Rodríguez provided the key offensive highlight with a solo home run that helped secure the 3–1 victory. The win kept the Mariners within two games of the division lead, maintaining pressure in a tightly contested American League West race. The team has continued to find ways to win despite uneven production from key hitters. Seattle’s pitching and timely offense have helped offset the lack of consistency from parts of the lineup, allowing the club to remain competitive during Raleigh’s downturn. As the Mariners push deeper into the season, their challenge will be balancing continued success with the need to get one of their most important offensive players back on track.