Mariners rally with seven runs in one thrilling inning; win game two 7-5 against Astros
By Bel Garcia
Seattle, WA - It started off rough for the Mariners, with only Ty France contributing hits, the clouds loomed heavy on Seattle for most of the game. The reigning World Series champions came to town for an ALDS re-match, getting started quickly as we’re used to seeing from Houston and it wasn’t surprising. They scored in several innings, but for the Seattle Mariners, all they needed was one good inning.
The early innings of the game went by quietly, with starting pitchers Marco Gonzales and JP France doing well (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
After a few scoreless innings from both teams, credited to great starts by pitchers Marco Gonzales and JP France, the Astros struck first. Houston’s Mauricio Dubón was causing some issues early for the Mariners, scoring on a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth and then almost scoring again in the top of the fourth off a Yordan Alvarez double. A peculiar play that sent T-Mobile Park into a frenzy of boos. Dubón was credit the scoring run after looking like he was tagged by Seattle catcher Tom Murphy. He never actually hit home plate, but before the review was given the run because of catcher’s interference. Murphy tagged his foot as he was attempting to slide home, a play that had many confused as to why it was called interference. With the other foot he then kicks Murphy’s foot, not too sure if this was an attempt to touch home plate. Nevertheless, after several minutes of it being reviewed, he was thrown out at home. The right call and a lucky call for the Mariners as the Astros put up three scoring runs worth of damage.
Seattle Mariners shortstop JP Crawford’s bases clearing double was huge in the teams rally (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Seattle needed some offense, and they needed it quick, but that’s exactly what they received from several of the batters in their lineup. Before the late rally, the Mariners found themselves 0-7 with runners in scoring position. They erupted in the bottom of the eighth inning for a total of seven scoring runs. With the bases loaded and two outs, JP Crawford found himself in a 3-1 pitch and delivered a double. On base and making it all the way home were, Teoscar Hernandez, Eugenio Suarez, and Cal Raleigh. Tying the game, Seattle would not stop there. Newby Mariner Jose Caballero followed Crawford’s lead with a double of his own, scoring Trammell who was walked and Crawford, giving the Mariners the scoring lead for the first time of the game. It would not stop there, already up 5-3, Julio Rodriguez with a base hit brought home Caballero, Jarred Kelenic rewarded Rodriguez by bringing him home and the Astros stopped the bleeding at seven scoring runs.
Seattle lacked consistency in the beginning of the game with one or no hits in the first few innings but found the spark at the right time. The Astros attempted a comeback of their own in the top of the ninth, a last surge with two scoring runs from Jeremy Peña and Kyle Tucker, but not enough. A slow start, but the Mariners ended this one with 12 hits, three more than Houston. Something that the rally addressed, but needs continuous attention is the number of runners they leave on base. Today they left nine on base, while the Astros only stranded five.
The rally by the Seattle Mariners in the eighth inning saw several different faces pitch in to get the team seven runs (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Quick notes
The Mariners evened the series with a 7-5 win.
The Mariners have won 5 of their last 6 games…all 5 have been comeback wins.
The win was propelled by the 7 runs and 7 hits in the 8th inning…both were season-highs for the Mariners.
All 7 runs, 7 hits, and 9 baserunners occurred with 2 outs.
J.P Crawford drove in Seattle’s first runs of the inning (and game) with a 3-RBI double to tie the game 3-3 in the 8th inning.
It was Crawford’s 8th double and second time driving in 3+ runs this season (last 4/26 grand slam).
Crawford's double was the Mariners first game-tying double in the 8th inning or later since Crawford did it in Game 2 of the ALWC on Oct. 8, 2022 against the Blue Jays (also a 3-run double).
He also drew his team-leading 23rd walk of the season.
Jose Caballero’s 2-RBI double gave the Mariners their first lead of the series against the Astros.
It was his first time scoring 2+ RBI in the major leagues.
Ty France went 3-for-5 tonight.
o He extended his hitting streak to 4 games… his longest since his early-season 11-game streak (4/2-4/14).
Starting pitcher Marco Gonzales threw 6.0 innings for the second time of the season (last 4/19)…he allowed 6 hits, 3 runs (3 ER), and 3 walks.
He threw 4 strikeouts in 84 pitches.
Tom Murphy and Cal Raleigh both went 2-for-4 tonight.
Murphy has recorded 2 hits in 3-of-4 of his last games.
Juan Then made his major league debut in the 7th inning… he was the third Mariner to make an MLB debut this season (also Caballero and Bryce Miller) and second pitcher.
Tayler Saucedo recorded his first career Major League victory.
The Mariners challenged a home-plate obstruction play called on Tom Murphy during the 5th inning, the call was overturned to rule Mauricio Dubón out at home on the throw. The Astros scored 1 to go up 3-0.
Houston’s J.P. France had 1 pitch-timer violation.
Seattle Mariners reliever Paul Sewald closed out the win, and the team got to do their dance (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
What’s next?
The Mariners will look to take the series in tomorrow’s rubber match, when Seattle can get a big series victory over their divisional rival and the defending World Series champions. On the Sunday, May 7th game with a first pitch time of 1:10PM PST, the first 10,000 mothers in attendance will receive a “Geno Grigio” wine tumbler as long as they are 21 and older. Tomorrow, rookie starting pitcher Bryce Miller gets his second start of his young career for the Mariners and he’ll have a tall task in doing so when he tries to help Seattle get the series win over the Astros. Across the way from him, right hander Brandon Bielak will be on the mound for Houston.