12-Inning Duel in Seattle Allows Astros to Seal the Win
The Seattle Mariners were able to pick up a 4-3 win during the first game at home in a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Monday. However, in a 12-inning duel, the Astros would come up big during game two of this series taking a 2-1 victory. The final game of this series will be on Wednesday at 4:10 p.m. EST. Seattle needs the win during the final game of this series before they go on to face the Texas Rangers who’s been on top of the division thus far. The Mariners have been awfully disappointing to start this season off.
Isaac Paredes picked up the first hit of the ballgame during the top of the first inning on a sharp ground ball to center field. The Mariners would not get anything across during the bottom half of the first, nor did the Astros at the top of the second. During the bottom half of the second, Randy Arozarena hit a single, and then a wild pitch by Astros pitcher Framber Valdez allowed Arozarena to get to second base. Mitch Garver was hit by a pitch. Two batters later, Luke Raley hit a force out which left runners at the corners. Raley would steal second, however, the Mariners could not do the job and bring a run home. At the top of the third Jake Meyers knocked a single on a ground ball to center field. Myers would steal second, but it would not amount to anything as Jose Altuve, and Paredes would pick up the second and third out of the inning. Julio Rodríguez was walked during the bottom of the third and stole his fourth base of the season.
Yordan Alvarez started off the fourth with a walk. Jeremy Peña ripped a single on a line drive to center field, this put Alvarez on third. Even though Brendan Rodgers struck out swinging, Peña was able to steal second base. Yainer Diaz was walked which left the bases loaded and two outs. Cam Smith flew out to right field for the third and final out of the inning. Meyers picked up his second hit of the day during the top of the fifth. He tried to steal second base once again, but this time he was caught and called out. Mariners second baseman Ryan Bliss rocked a double to left field, but it would not amount to anything. At the top of the sixth, Alvarez singled to right but was quickly headed back to the dugout when Christian Walker hit into a double play.
The game would finally see its first run come across during the top of the seventh. Diaz reached base on a throwing error by Mariner third baseman Dylan Moore. Smith tripled into left field, allowing Diaz to score home, putting the Astros up 1-0. During the bottom of the seventh, Garver singled to center field. He would steal second base after Dominic Canzone struck out swinging. Raley scored Seattle’s first run of the ballgame when he singled on a ground ball to Astros second baseman Brendan Rodgers, but it was deflected by first baseman Christian Walker. Raley would steal second and JP Crawford would be walked, yet the Mariners could not get any extra insurance runs. At the bottom of the eighth, designated hitter Cal Raleigh doubled to right field, unfortunately, Arozarena and Garver would be set down on strikes. Both teams could not produce anything during the ninth inning which pushed this game to extra innings.
These two teams battled during the 10th and 11th innings but nothing came across. During the top of the 12th, Rodgers started on second base. Chas McCormick hit a sacrifice bunt which allowed Rodgers to head to third. Victor Caratini singled to left field, allowing the run to score and giving Houston a 2-1 lead. Caratini advanced to second due to a balk. Altuve was intentionally walked allowing runners on first and second. Mauricio Dubón was called out on strikes, giving the Mariners their last licks. Garver started the inning on second base. A groundout by Miles Mastrobuoni let Seattle’s catcher to head to third. Raley and Bliss would strike out to end the game with the Astros taking a 2-1 victory on the road in Seattle.
Reliever Ryan Gusto would pick up the win for Houston. Astros’ starter Framber Valdez pitched six innings allowing two hits and a walk while striking out eight batters. Jesse Hahn would receive the loss for the Mariners. Seattle’s starter Luis Castillo pitched five innings allowing five hits and two walks while striking out six. Houston is now 5-6 after this win while Seattle drops to 4-8. The Mariners have gotten off to an awfully disappointing start thus far.
