Mariners continue fight for AL wild card with 8-1 win over Astros
Seattle Mariners' Justin Turner hits a two-run RBI single against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Houston. Credit: AP/Michael Wyke
HOUSTON — Mitch Garver and Julio Rodríguez homered, and the Seattle Mariners took advantage of five Houston errors during an 8-1 victory over the Astros on Wednesday.
Seattle (82-77) won for the fifth time in seven games as it tries to rally into an AL wild card. It is chasing Detroit and Kansas City for one of the last two spots.
The Mariners were down 1-0 before rallying in the sixth. Dylan Moore reached on the first of four errors by rookie third baseman Shay Whitcomb, who entered in the fourth. Victor Robles walked and Cal Raleigh hit a one-out single to load the bases.
Justin Turner then extended his on-base streak to 20 consecutive games with his single on a line drive to left field that scored two.
Garver opened the seventh with his 14th homer on a line drive into the seats in left field. The Mariners added two more runs in the inning thanks to three errors by the Astros, including two more by Whitcomb.
A fourth error by Whitcomb allowed Moore to reach with no outs in the ninth, and he scored on a double by Robles. Rodríguez then hit his 20th homer of the season.
Yusei Kikuchi (9-10) struck out eight in six innings in his first loss with Houston. He was charged with two unearned runs and four hits.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Houston. Credit: AP/Michael Wyke
The Astros won Kikuchi's first nine starts after he was acquired in a July 29 trade with Toronto. He went 5-0 with a 3.00 ERA during that stretch.
George Kirby (14-11) pitched six innings of four-hit ball in his third consecutive win for Seattle. He struck out six and walked one.
Victor Caratini hit an RBI single in the third for the Astros, who played without many of their regulars a day after clinching their fourth straight AL West title.
There was a special moment for Alex Bregman in the fourth inning of what could be his final regular-season home game at Minute Maid Park. He is eligible for free agency after this season.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Houston. Credit: AP/Michael Wyke
Bregman trotted out to third base, but manager Joe Espada lifted him for a defensive replacement before the inning started. Bregman slowly walked to the dugout as he received a standing ovation. He paused before entering the dugout and tipped his cap to the crowd.
Selected by Houston with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 amateur draft, Bregman has spent his entire career with the Astros.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: OF/DH Yordan Alvarez will not travel with the team on its upcoming road trip, instead staying in Houston to receive treatment on his sprained right knee. Espada said Alvarez had improved Wednesday and that some of the swelling had subsided since he was injured on a slide Sunday.
UP NEXT
Mariners: Open a three-game series against the Athletics on Friday night in Seattle.
Astros: Traveling to Cleveland for a three-game series starting Friday night.
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