May 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Luke Raley (20) celebrates with center fielder Julio Rodríguez (44) after hitting a three-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Seattle Mariners outfielder Luke Raley had gone more than three years without a multi-home-run game before Friday night. Both of his career performances in that category have come at Rate Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox, where Raley and his teammates aim to clinch a series win on Saturday.
Raley powered the Mariners to a 12-8 victory on Friday, crushing a grand slam and a three-run homer while setting a personal best with seven RBIs.
“That guy is so awesome,” teammate Josh Naylor said. “He works his tail off every single day. He studies like a madman. Great teammate. And I think, you know, the game rewards those types of great people where we can’t be any prouder.”
Seattle benefited from Raley’s first multi-homer game since April 30, 2023, when he was with the Tampa Bay Rays—also in Chicago. He wasn’t the only Mariner showing power; Naylor added a three-run homer among his three hits, and Julio Rodriguez contributed a solo shot.
The White Sox suffered their fourth loss in five games, but first baseman Munetaka Murakami continued his hot streak. He hit a solo home run in the first inning, tying New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge for the MLB lead with 15 homers. Murakami, a prized offseason signing from Japan, also set a major league record by homering in his eighth consecutive series opener.
“We know that the league is trying to figure him out,” White Sox general manager Chris Getz said, “but he continues to show up and impress… You look at his determination and his work ethic and his intelligence, I have a tough time thinking he’s not going to get better.”
Sam Antonacci added two hits for the White Sox, who will look to even the series behind left-hander Anthony Kay (1-1, 5.70 ERA). Kay last pitched Sunday in a no-decision at San Diego, yielding three runs (two earned) and seven hits over five innings in a 4-3 loss.
Kay has allowed multiple home runs in two of his last three starts but said his outing in San Diego helped him regain his control.
“I was just attacking the zone, you know, getting in good pitcher’s counts,” Kay said. “Only had one walk, and it was a [lengthy] at-bat. Just attacking guys and making sure that we’re in good counts and getting soft contact early in the count.”
Right-hander Luis Castillo (0-3, 6.29 ERA) will take the mound for Seattle on Saturday. After throwing only 22 1/3 innings over five starts in April, he bounced back in a 4-1 loss against Kansas City on Sunday, matching a season high by pitching six innings. He allowed four runs and six hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.
“Like I’ve said, sometimes there are obstacles that happen throughout the season,” Castillo said through an interpreter. “And sometimes, there’s bad luck. But it’s not going to last the entire season.”
Castillo is 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA in four career starts against the White Sox, recording 28 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings.
Saturday will mark Kay’s first career start versus the Mariners. He previously logged four innings of one-hit relief against them while pitching for Toronto in 2021.
