Mariners Split Four-Game Series with Astros
By Ben Renner
The Mariners remain in first place in the AL West after splitting a four-game series with the Houston Astros. They return home to face the Rays tonight.
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The Mariners finished their road trip 5-2 after dropping the final game of their four-game series in Houston yesterday. Starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma struck out eight batters in five innings, but allowed seven hits and three earned runs, taking the loss. Iwakuma stands now at 1-4 on the season. Houston starter Colin McHugh lowered his ERA to 5.50 in the win for the Astros, spinning seven innings of one-run ball on five hits while striking out five.
The only offense for the Mariners yesterday afternoon in Houston was second baseman Robinson Cano‘s 12th home run of the season. He is now tied with the Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado for the major league lead in home runs and now has more RBIs than anyone in the majors. Cano has been particularly brutal on the Astros. 17 of his 33 RBIs have come against Houston pitching. He’s hot, and he’s already well on his way to flushing his somewhat disappointing 2015 season.
The Mariners defeated Houston 3-2 in 10 innings on Saturday. After Mariners closer Steve Cishek allowed the game-tying home run to Astros third baseman Luis Valbuena in the ninth for his first blown save of the year, Cano came up big in the tenth inning to bail Cishek out with a go-ahead home run, his second of the game.
Taijuan Walker had to bail from his start on Friday night in the third inning due to neck spasms. The Astros beat the Mariners 6-3 on the strength of shortstop Carlos Correa‘s 3-for-3 night, avenging a 6-3 loss to the Mariners on Thursday with Cano collecting another three hits and four RBIs. Walker is improving, but he’s still not at full health since his shortened start.
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The Mariners will send Felix Hernandez to the mound to face the starter Matt Moore and the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field tonight at 7.