Mariners' Cal Raleigh turns slow start into heroic cameo vs. Yankees

When Cal Raleigh stepped into the batter's box in the bottom of the ninth inning on Monday night, he could've looked up at the scoreboard and seen a batting average that read .125.

The Seattle Mariners' catcher was 2-for-16 so far this season, but in a 1-1 game with two runners on, Raleigh had a chance to change his narrative in this big moment against the New York Yankees.

Raleigh won't be concerned with the number that's in the batting average box after that at bat.

Because after a slow start mired in bad vibes at the plate, Raleigh got a chance to play hero.

He didn't start on Monday, but he finished -- a walk-off hit to secure a home victory for Seattle.

CAL RALEIGH WALKS OFF THE YANKEES! pic.twitter.com/76uRZMfWLe

MORE: Terrance Gore's son honors dad with perfect first pitch

Raleigh was realistic after the game about his slow start. It also surely felt better to chat about it following a walk-off ending.

“It'll be OK,” Raleigh told reporters, via MLB.com. “I know a lot of guys in that locker room, a lot of people across the league, are fighting the same thing. Guys are trying to find timing. And it's under a microscope more so now than it is in the middle of the season.”

Raleigh had entered Monday's game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning, and he struck out, his 11th already of the season.

But given a second chance, Raleigh delivered.

Whether or not it changes the trajectory of his season remains to be seen. But for a night, Raleigh was feeling good again.

More MLB news:

• Wrigley Field wind impacted potential HR by more than 100 feet
• Aaron Judge ties Dodgers legend on MLB all-time record list
• Emerson Hancock has feat for Mariners not done since Felix Hernandez perfect game
• Reds make umpire CB Bucknor look bad with ABS challenges
• This New York Times crossword clue is bizarre for baseball fans
• Blue Jays set all-time MLB record in opening weekend of season