The Seattle Mariners secured a 7-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium, bolstering their slim chances of reaching the postseason. The win leaves Seattle trailing Texas and Houston by 5 1⁄2 games in the American League West and 6 1⁄2 games behind the Chicago White Sox for the third AL wild-card spot, with nine games remaining in the regular season.

Cal Raleigh contributed significantly for the Mariners, recording two hits and driving in three runs. Josh Naylor also added two hits and two RBIs, while Randy Arozarena walked, singled, and scored three runs to help maintain Seattle’s momentum throughout the game.

The contest was tied at 2-2 entering the fifth inning. Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi, who fell to 1-6 on the season, issued consecutive walks to Arozarena and Dominic Canzone with one out. Raleigh then delivered an RBI double to left field, putting Seattle ahead 3-2. An intentional walk to Julio Rodriguez loaded the bases. Shortly afterward, a misplay by Angels first baseman Vaughn Grissom on Naylor’s ground ball allowed two runs to score, extending the Mariners’ lead to 5-2.

Seattle’s bullpen held firm as reliever Carlos Vargas came on in relief and struck out both Josh Lowe and Christian Moore with the bases loaded to end the Angels’ fifth-inning rally. The Mariners added two more runs in the sixth on RBI singles by Canzone and Raleigh, increasing their advantage to 7-2.

Kikuchi’s early outing included 37 pitches during the first inning, in which Seattle scored twice on a sacrifice fly from Raleigh and an RBI single from Naylor. Despite the early runs, Kikuchi was unable to contain the Mariners’ offense as Seattle advanced closer to the postseason chase.