ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Cal Raleigh became the first player to hit 40 homers this season with a tiebreaking solo shot in the sixth inning of the Seattle Mariners' 7-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night.
Raleigh is the first switch-hitter to reach the 40-homer mark before August in MLB history, according to ESPN Research. The previous home run record through July by a switch-hitter was 39 by Mickey Mantle in 1961.
From the left side of the plate, Raleigh hammered a 97 mph fastball from Jos Fermin (2-2) 416 feet into the right-field bleachers for his second homer in eight games since winning the Home Run Derby.
Julio Rodrguez hit his fourth solo homer in three games at Angel Stadium, and Randy Arozarena also connected for the Mariners.
George Kirby (5-5) struck out nine over six difficult innings of five-hit ball to earn his fourth win in five starts despite not matching his 14-strikeout performance at Angel Stadium last month.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
