Mariners Game Recap: Mariners Win Big in Series Finale

The Seattle Mariners (63-71) blasted the Houston Astros (73-61) on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. Tonight’s win means Seattle has won a series in Houston for the first time since July 2014. Carson Smith (2-5, 2.76 ERA) recorded only one out, but was credited with the victory for the Mariners. Pat Neshek (3-5, 3.33 ERA) took the loss for Houston on Tuesday night, and history repeated itself tonight. Tom Wilhelmsen earned a rare five out save for the Mariners. Wilhelmsen has now tallied 8 saves this season.

Shawn O’Malley got the M’s on the board with an RBI single in the 2nd inning. Houston took the lead in the home half of the inning, plating a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead. The Mariners tied the game in the 3rd, but the ‘Stros regained the lead in the bottom of the 3rd. Seattle fought back to tie the game in the 5th inning. Much like last night, the Mariners jumped ahead in the 8th, scoring 2 runs to take a 5-3 lead. The M’s added 3 big insurance runs in the 9th to extend their lead to 8-3.

Taijuan Walker allowed 3 runs on 5 hits through 6.2 innings of work. Walker struck out 3 and walked 3. Prince Tai showed great maturity tonight. He didn’t have his best stuff, but he figured out a way to get people out. Walker did his job, and that is all you can ask of him.

Carson Smith entered in the 7th inning with runners on first and second base and 2 outs. Smitty has been solid lately, and he got the M’s out of another jam tonight. Logan Kensing retired the first out in the 8th, but was lifted in favor of Tom Wilhelmsen. The Bartender got the final two outs in the 8th, and held the Astros off the board again in the 9th.

Logan Morrison delivered a key home run in the late innings last night that led Seattle to victory, and he did it again tonight. LoMo entered in the 8th inning, and finished 1 for 1 with a 3-run home run and a walk. Franklin Gutierrez had a nice night, going 2 for 4 with a double, a walk, 1 RBI and 1 run scored. Kyle Seager went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and 2 walks.

Shawn O’Malley was recalled from Tacoma yesterday, and he proved why he deserved to be on this team all season tonight. The 27-year-old Kennewick, WA product finished 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and a stolen base. O’Malley figures to play all over the diamond over the final month of the season, and I expect him to turn some heads. In my opinion, he is more than deserving of the utility man job next season with Seattle.

Scott Kazmir was off his game tonight, as he allowed 3 runs on 7 hits through 4.1 innings pitched. The veteran lefty struck out 5 and walked 2 this evening. Chad Qualls and Will Harris combined to pitch 2.2 shutout innings in relief. However, Pat Neshek allowed 2 runs to cross the plate in the 8th while only recording 1 out. Oliver Perez worked out of danger in the 8th, but Josh Fields was touched up for 3 runs in the 9th inning.

Jed Lowrie had a solid game on Wednesday, going 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles and 1 run scored. Evan Gattis resembles a lumberjack with a bat, and he went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI. Preston Tucker did a nice job in his first game since being recalled from triple-A, going 1 for 4 with an RBI. Luis Valbuena was responsible for the other Astros’ run.

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Seattle’s recent hot streak has allowed them to gain a little ground in the American League West. The Mariners now trial the division leading Houston Astros by 10 games. The M’s are 7.5 games out in the wildcard race.

The Seattle Mariners (63-71) have a travel day on Thursday as they head west to Oakland to take on the A’s (58-76) in the opener of a 3-game weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm from the O.co Colosseum on Friday night in the East Bay. Edgar Olmos (1-0, 2.13 ERA) will make his second start in a Mariners’ uniform, and Aaron Brooks (1-1, 5.32 ERA) will get the ball for Oakland. Root Sports Northwest will carry the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.

Next: Mariners Send 7 to Arizona Fall League

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