Mariners Win Big Game Over Astros

 The Seattle Mariners continued having a good series on the road this time beating the Houston Astros Monday night 9-7.

The Mariners started out getting a lead 5-2 however the Astros scored enough in the sixth inning to overtake the Mariners. Like the series in Chicago the Mariners were able to come back and tie the game and have the game go into the 10^th. Nelson Cruz and Mike Zunino each hit home runs to keep the Mariners in the game although it was the defense of shortstop Jean Segura that allowed them to continue the game in the 10^th inning. The bottom of the ninth inning it looked like the Astros would win however Segura made an outstanding play that looked like the ball would go into left field with an Astro runner on second. He was able to throw the runner out on his knees to continue the game. He then made another defense gem to end the inning as well.

The Mariners won the game in the 10^th inning with Kyle Seager hitting a home run followed by Danny Valencia. Edwin Diaz was able to close out the bottom of the 10^th without any trouble at all. I have to admit that I was upset that the Mariners gave up home runs in the sixth inning for the Astros to come back and take the lead although the Mariners were able to finally win on home runs themselves. I think that the Mariner pitchers are giving up way too many home runs. The showed though they are not only team to give up too many home runs as well. Right now pitchers around the league are not spotting the ball the way they should and the batters are waiting on pitches to hit them out. I hope the Mariner pitchers will be able to correct that.

This road trip the Mariners winning the first four games has allowed them to be even on the season at 47-47. It would be nice if they could continue this not only on the road trip but the next home stand. The Mariners have activated Sam Gaviglio to pitch Tuesday night’s game against Bill Peacock for the Astros. Peacock has started nine games in twenty-one total games he has pitched for the Astros. He has pitched a total of sixty-one innings with a record of 7-1 and an era of 2.63 with 84 strike outs. He has walked 37 batters as well so the key to this game would be the Mariner batters to take as many pitches as possible early in the game to get Peacock out of the game. Starting the first inning Segura and Gamel need to see if they can hit the fastball to get to Cano and Cruz; a lot will depend on his control.

Wednesday the Mariners and Astros play a day game with James Paxton for the Mariners while Charlie Morton for the Astros. It would be nice if the Mariners will be looking to go for another sweep to end the road trip. The Mariners will return home to play the New York Yankees in a four game series Thursday through Sunday. Mariners let’s continue this good playing to get over the five hundred mark by several games. Go M’s.