Mariners Lose Big In Opening Game in Houston

The first game in Houston wasn’t a big surprise. I am sure we were hoping for a better result.

Yusei Kikuchi continues to struggle on the mound giving up four home runs in four innings with the Astros scoring six runs. He gave up nine hits in those four innings without walking a batter but striking out only one.  Kikuchi continues to be on a learning curve. We hope he can rebound the rest of the season.

Reggie McClain recalled from triple-A Tacoma made his major league debut coming in the 5^th inning for Kikuchi. McClain started the season at high-level A Modesto then moved to double-A Arkansas before landing in Tacoma. McClain had previously been in Modesto the previous two years. In those two seasons, he was a starter, however, the Mariners decided to move McClain to the bullpen has his velocity had increased.

The Astros were not kind to McClain either in his debut. He gave up two home runs allowing three runs total on two hits and a walk. He did record his first two strikeouts after giving up the home runs. We hope he does better in his next outing.

Cory Gearrin currently the only reliever with the Mariners all-season long pitched the sixth inning giving up no runs, no hits, a walk, and struck out one.

Zach Grotz making his major league debut as well-pitched the final two innings for the Mariners. He did better than McClain but did give up a run in the eighth inning. He walked two batters, along with a hit and run in the two innings.

Final Houston 10 Seattle 2

The Mariners will see what they can do against the Astros on Saturday. Of the three games in the series, Saturday’s is the one the Mariners have the best chance of winning.

Marco Gonzales will be looking to tie his season’s win total of last year going for number thirteen. He went 3-1 in July, so now starting the first time in August. He will be going against Aaron Sanchez for the Astros. He has a record of 3-14 with an ERA of 6.07.

Aaron Sanchez the Astros acquired at the trading deadline on July 31 from the Toronto Blue, and making his debut for the Astros. The Mariners hadn’t seen Sanchez this year as the Mariners didn’t face the Blue Jays as of yet.

I am sure the Astros are hoping to turn Sanchez around. His best season for the Blue Jays was in 2016 when he went 15-2 with an ERA of 3.00. He could help out the Astros as the 5^th starter if he can rebound from having a bad season. He is only 27 years old so he could still have some good years ahead of him.

The Mariners will face Justin Verlander on Sunday. He always is a tough pitcher to face though the Mariners have had some limited success against him. The Mariners will probably start an opener followed by Tommy Milone. 

The Mariners will probably see Gerson Batista in his return to Seattle when he was called up on July 31. The Mariners are hoping his control is back in order as he can throw the ball up to 100 mph. The best to the Mariners in these final two games in Houston before returning home next week. Go M’s.