ALCS Announcers Stunned Mariners Didn't Challenge Close Call at Home in Game 1

Karl Rasmussen | Oct 12, 2025

Cal Raleigh was called out at home plate in the first inning of ALCS Game 1 between the Mariners and Blue Jays. / Screenshot via MLB on X

The Mariners stranded two runners in the top of the first inning in ALCS Game 1 against the Blue Jays, thanks to a bang-bang play at home plate in which Cal Raleigh was thrown out by Addison Barger.

On replays shown on the Fox broadcast, it appeared as if Raleigh may have actually been safe, but the Mariners opted against challenging the call made by home plate umpire Ryan Additon. Raleigh slid into home and touched his foot to the plate at practically the exact moment he was tagged by Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk.

The Fox broadcast booth was particularly perplexed by the Mariners' decision not to challenge the play.

i am baffled that the mariners didn't challenge this.

maybe the call stands, but cal raleigh certainly looked safe pic.twitter.com/GWIXnRLjSB

— Logan (@loganstephens24) October 13, 2025

"Really close, though. I'm surprised they didn't at least take a look at this," play-by-play announcer Joe Davis said.

Despite the potential impact overturning that call would have––giving Seattle an early lead on the road in their first ALCS appearance in over two decades, manager Dan Wilson decided to hold onto his challenges. The following at-bat, Josh Naylor lined out and the Mariners stranded runners on first and second. Had the call at home plate been challenged and overturned, Seattle would've taken a 1–0 lead and had runners on first and second with just one out for Naylor.

The Fox announcers weren't the only ones caught off guard by the rather passive decision from Wilson and the Mariners, as MLB fans on social media had a similar reaction to the play.

Looked like Cal Raleigh might’ve gotten his right heel to the plate before Alejandro Kirk’s tag -- it was too close to tell on multiple replays from the FOX telecast -- but the Mariners do not challenge.

And they wind up stranding two runners in a scoreless 1st inning. pic.twitter.com/EcVbiiwcVk

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) October 13, 2025

Why did the Mariners not challenge this call? I think he may have been safe. pic.twitter.com/NzNbW1Tkxv

— OnBaseMachine (@RedsFan_Brandon) October 13, 2025

Looked like Cal Raleigh might’ve gotten his right heel to the plate before Alejandro Kirk’s tag -- it was too close to tell on multiple replays from the FOX telecast -- but the Mariners do not challenge.

And they wind up stranding two runners in a scoreless 1st inning. pic.twitter.com/EcVbiiwcVk

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) October 13, 2025

I can’t believe the Mariners didn’t challenge this. pic.twitter.com/Arg4KStsAZ

— Jim Rosati 🏴‍☠️ (@northsidenotch) October 13, 2025

To make matters worse, a solo home run from George Springer on the very first pitch of the bottom of the first inning gave Toronto a 1–0 lead just moments later.

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