Mariners Falter in Houston
After taking a big step forward versus Baltimore, the Mariners dropped all three games to the Astros in Houston.
Young right-hander Lance McCullers had his way with the Mariners’ lineup in game one, showing excellent command of his curveball en route to a seven inning, one-run performance where he struck out 10 Seattle hitters. Wade Miley did his best to keep the Mariners in the game, throwing 6 ⅔ innings of two-run ball. Houston got their scoring started with a sacrifice fly by Luis Valbuena in the bottom of the 1st and later added a solo home run by George Springer in the 5th inning. Dae-Ho Lee hit an RBI single to score Kyle Seager in the 2nd inning. The final score was 2-1 in the low-scoring pitcher’s duel.
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Taijuan Walker started the second game of the series and left the start early due to the foot injury which has been bugging him the few weeks. (And eventually landed him on the DL. See below.) Walker pitched just four innings and earned all five of Houston’s runs, all of which came via home runs. Luis Valbuena, Colby Rasmus and A.J. Reed hit long balls for Houston. The Mariners managed just two runs off of Houston’s ace and last year’s AL Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel. Chris Iannetta had an RBI groundout and Nelson Cruz continued his recent power surge by hitting a solo home run. Keuchel and the home runs were too much for Seattle and they lost 5-2.
Trying to avoid the sweep, the Mariners sent Wade LeBlanc to the mound hoping he would continue to pitch well after two consecutive quality outings. Unfortunately, the third game of the series was a slugfest and the lefty surrendered five runs in just 3 ⅓ innings before Nathan Karns came in from the bullpen. Carlos Correa and Carlos Gomez each hit RBI doubles in the 1st, Gomez’ plated two, and Seattle quickly was down 3-0. Evan Gattis homered in the 2nd and Gomez hit an RBI triple to make it 5-0. Seattle would try and mount a comeback when Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager and Dae Ho Lee all hit home runs in the 4th, cutting Houston’s lead to 5-4. Gattis and George Springer would each drive in a run in the 6th inning to give the Astros a three-run lead. Seth Smith then tied the game at seven in the 7th with a 3-run shot to left-center field. Luis Valbuena answered with a 2-run shot of his own in the 8th to make it a 9-7 game. Robinson Cano drove in a run in the 9th to make it 9-8 but the comeback ended there when Lee struck out with the bases loaded. They lost the game 9-8 and were unable to take a game from Houston in the standings.
Other Notes:
Taijuan Walker was placed on the 15-day Disabled List with right foot tendinitis.
Mike Zunino was optioned back to AAA Tacoma to continue to get at bats and in-game experience.
David Rollins was optioned to AAA then recalled back to Seattle when Walker was placed on the DL. Jesus Sucre was recalled from Tacoma to take the backup catcher spot.
Looking Forward:
The Mariners travel to Kansas City to take on the defending World Series champions.