Mariners Game Recap: Astros Blast Past M’s in Opener

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Final. 3. 62. 8. 135

The Houston Astros (73-59) crushed the Seattle Mariners (61-71) on Monday night at Minute Maid Park. The Astros took the series opener, 8-3. Dallas Keuchel (16-6, 2.24 ERA) earned the win for the home side, and Vidal Nuno (0-3, 3.32 ERA) took the loss for Seattle.

Houston jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning tonight. Seattle tied the game in the 2nd, but the Astros recaptured the lead in the 4th after plating a pair of runs. Houston added 2 more runs in the 5th to make it 5-1. The ‘Stros pulled away even further in the 7th, scoring 3 runs and extending their lead to 8-1. The M’s stormed back with 2 runs in the 9th, but it was too little too late.

Aug 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Vidal Nuno (38) pitches against Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) in the bottom of the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Vidal Nuno allowed 5 runs on 7 hits across 6 innings of work. The 28-year-old southpaw struck out 2 and walked 2 in the loss. The only positive tonight for Nuno was the fact that he worked deep into the game and spared the depleted Mariners’ bullpen. Rob Rasmussen‘s train wreck of a season continued tonight. The 26-year-old left-hander entered in the 6th, and proceeded to allow 3 runs to cross the plate in 2 innings.

Mark Trumbo led the way for the Mariners on Monday night. Trumbo launched a pair of home runs, and was responsible for all 3 Seattle runs tonight. The 29-year-old has posted a .293 batting average with 9 home runs and 23 RBI since July 8. Brad Miller appears to be the M’s new everyday center fielder, and he got off to a good start tonight. Miller went 2 for 4 with a stolen base, and held his own defensively in one of the more difficult outfields in baseball.

Dallas Keuchel is putting together a Cy Young caliber season in 2015, and tonight’s outing was another fine performance. The 27-year-old lefty allowed 1 run on 6 hits through 7 innings on Monday night. Keuchel fanned 8 and issued 1 free pass en route to earning his 16th win of the season. Will Harris hurled a perfect 8th inning to preserve the Astros’ lead. Oliver Perez surrendered a pair of runs in the 9th.

Jed Lowrie was huge for Houston this evening, as the veteran infielder went 2 for 4 with a double, home run and 2 RBI. Carlos Correa is one of the most exciting young players in the game, and he finished 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBI. Evan Gattis came through with a 2-run double. Hank Conger muscled up on a home run that careened off the train above the wall in left field. Jose Altuve is an MVP candidate this season, and he went 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and a stolen base on Monday night.

This may not be the worst team Seattle has fielded in the last 5 years, but it has definitely been the most disappointing. The M’s are now 12 games back of the Astros in the American League West, and 8.5 games out in the wildcard race. The Mariners’ season has been over for a while, and at this point, there is very little light at the end of this tunnel.

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The Seattle Mariners (61-71) will try and even the series with the Houston Astros (73-59) Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 pm PT from Minute Maid Park in Houston. Roenis Elias (4-7, 4.20 ERA) will get the ball for Seattle, and Scott Feldman (5-5, 3.75 ERA) will be on the bump for the ‘Stros. Root Sports Northwest will carry the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.

Next: Austin Jackson Traded to the Chicago Cubs

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