Seattle Mariners Clinch AL West Title for First Time Since 2001
SEATTLE – The Seattle Mariners secured their first American League West division title in 24 years with a resounding 9-2 victory against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night at T-Mobile Park. This triumph marks a historic milestone for the Mariners, ending a long drought since their last division championship in 2001.
Seattle’s powerful offense was led by Cal Raleigh, who hit his major league-leading 59th and 60th home runs of the 2025 season in the game, thrilling fans and cementing his place among baseball’s elite sluggers. Raleigh’s first home run came in the opening inning, a majestic shot into the upper deck of the right field bleachers that gave the Mariners an early 1-0 lead. He later capped the night with a memorable two-out blast in the eighth inning, his 60th of the season.
With these home runs, Raleigh joined an elite group of American League hitters with 60 or more home runs in a single season, joining legends such as Aaron Judge, Babe Ruth, and Roger Maris. His performance has sparked discussions around the league regarding his strong MVP candidacy.
The Mariners’ offense did not stop with Raleigh, as Julio Rodríguez and Jorge Polanco also contributed home runs off Colorado starter Tanner Gordon, who absorbed his 8th loss of the season. The Mariners’ dominant hitting put pressure on the Rockies early and often, allowing Seattle to maintain control of the game and the division race.
Besides an explosive offense, the Mariners’ season featured remarkable consistency, winning 16 out of their last 17 games, a streak that helped them overtake the Houston Astros and end their run of seven consecutive AL West division titles. This remarkable finish has reignited hopes among Mariners fans who have long awaited the team’s return to postseason relevance.
Ichiro Suzuki, a Mariners icon and Hall of Famer who last led the team to the division crown as a rookie in 2001, was present in the background this season as a special assistant to the Mariners’ chairman. His legacy remains a symbol of the franchise’s historic journey from perennial underdog to division champion.
Seattle now prepares for the 2025 MLB postseason with home-field advantage in the first round, a significant boost as they pursue their first playoff success in over two decades. The excitement and energy at T-Mobile Park were palpable as fans celebrated this long-awaited achievement, looking forward to what could be a memorable playoff run for the Mariners.
As the regular season winds down with just four games remaining, all eyes will remain on Cal Raleigh as he chases the AL single-season home run record of 62, held by Aaron Judge since 2022. The Mariners’ combination of power hitting, scrappy defense, and recent momentum positions them as a formidable contender in the postseason.
This 9-2 victory over the Rockies not only clinched the AL West title but also signaled the arrival of a new era of Mariners baseball, rekindling dreams that have been patiently nurtured for more than two decades.