Mariners Game Recap: Cano Powers the Big Blue Train Past the Astros

Sep 22, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) hits a three run home run in the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) hits a three run home run in the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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135. Final. 6. 62. 3

The Mariners took game one of the four game series against the Astros and have now won four games in a row.

The Seattle Mariners (17-11) took game one of the series against the Houston Astros (10-19) on Thursday evening at Minute Maid Park.  The Astros jumped out to a 1-0 lead but the Mariners battled back twice to win the game.  Nick Vincent (2-1, 1.50 ERA) earned the win for the Mariners, and Luke Gregerson (0-1, 3.75 ERA) took the loss for the Astros.  Steve Cishek did what he does and slammed the door to secure his 9th save.

Wade Miley gave up a leadoff solo home run to 5-foot-6 All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve.  Then Miley settled down to pitch the next four scoreless innings.  But in the sixth inning Jose Altuve would lead off with a single and Miley would walk George Springer.  Miley got Carlos Correa to ground into a double play but that left Altuve at third.  Evan Gattis singled to score Altuve.  Wade Miley would leave the game with the lead and get a no-decision.

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Astros starter Chris Devenski also pitched well.  He gave up just one run to the Mariners offense that is rolling.  The Mariners have been scoring runs with two outs so frequently that we just expect it now.  In the third inning, with two outs, Nori Aoki singled and Seth Smith walked.  Then Robinson Cano drilled a single to right field to score Aoki and tie the game at 1.

In the seventh inning, trailing the Astros 2-1, the Mariners got rolling again.  Chris Iannetta walked and Ketel Marte got a bunt base hit using his speed as he flew right by the first baseman Tyler White fielding the bunt.  Leonys Martin grounded into a fielders choice that got Iannetta out at third but Nori Aoki walked to load the bases with one out.  Seth Smith who’s been struggling at the plate laced a single to right field that scored Marte and Martin.

Jose Altuve would get the Astros the tie in the bottom of the seventh as he ripped a double to center field that would score Tyler White.  However the Mariners would get Jason Castro at the plate with a Martin-Marte-Iannetta relay.  The call and Iannetta’s positioning at the plate would be challenged by the Astros, but the call was upheld.

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The game remained tied until the top of the 9th inning.  Leonys Martin singled, Nori Aoki walked, and Seth Smith singled to load the bases.  Then Robinson Cano drilled a line drive over the center fielders head for a double to score all three Mariners.  Robinson Cano would have 4 RBI’s tonight and is easily the player of the game for the Mariners.  Cano is on fire.  Luke Gregerson has only given up a total of 4 RBI’s in his lifetime to the Mariners.  Three of those came tonight to Robinson Cano.

The Mariners are rolling right now.  No deficit stops them from believing they can win.  The starting pitchers are keeping the team in the game, the bullpen is nails, and the offense is rolling.  They are steam rolling opponents one at a time.  It’s a beautiful thing to watch and experience.  The big blue train just needed some time to get rolling.  But now the train has gained a lot of speed and is very hard to stop.  If you haven’t been watching, you better start.  This is a lot of fun.

Next: Mariners Analysis: Felix Hernandez's Top 5 Performances

Looking ahead to Friday, the Seattle Mariners (17-11) look to keep the train rolling in Houston against the Astros  (10-19).  First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 pm from Minute Maid Park on Friday night. Taijuan Walker (2-1, 1.80 ERA) will make the start for Seattle in the second game of the series, and former Mariner Doug Fister (2-3, 4.60 ERA) will be on the bump for the Astros. Root Sports Northwest will televise the game locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.