Mariners Game Recap: M’s Can’t Overcome Early Deficit

The Seattle Mariners (17-12) lost to the Houston Astros (11-19) at Minute Maid Park on Friday night. Taijuan Walker (2-2, 1.97 ERA) took the loss for the Mariners. Doug Fister (3-3, 4.54 ERA) was credited with the win on the night. For the second game in the row, the Astros were able to jump out to a first inning lead, but tonight the Mariners could not come back from being down early. Luke Gregerson closed the game out for the Astros.

Taijuan Walker started today’s game for the Mariners. He was coming off of his first loss of the season last Sunday against Kansas City. In the innings that Walker pitched today, we could tell something was off. His plus velocity was not there, he only maxed out 94 MPH once, and his command was not being helped by the shaky strike zone. Out of the three runs given up, only one was earned, thanks to a errant throw by Ketel Marte in the second. Walker was pulled after the second inning due to neck spasms. It was disheartening to watch Tai be pulled so early, but it was a relief (for now) to know that there is nothing wrong with his arm.

Mayckol Guaipe came on in the third inning for long relief. He got out of the third and the fourth without any more damage, but ran into trouble in the fifth inning. Carlos Correa had an RBI single and Colby Rasmus brought home George Springer with a sac fly. Guaipe finished the inning, but his night was done. Mike Montgomery came on the 6th, got two quick outs, gave up a double to Marwin Gonzalez, but was able to get out of the inning when Gonzalez got caught stealing third. Mike couldn’t get out of the seventh inning, and recorded two outs before allowing a run scoring fielders choice to Colby Rasmus. Steve Johnson finished out the game for the Mariners.

On the other side of the ball, the Mariners were facing Doug Fister. From 2009-2011, Fister made over 50 starts for the Mariners before being traded to Detroit. Fister has already made a start against the Mariners this season. He took the loss in that start, going six innings, giving up three earned runs. In today’s start, he pitched a scoreless six innings before giving up a bases clearing triple to Ketel Marte in the seventh. That triple made the score 6-3 Astros, but the rest of the usually questionable Astros bullpen shut down the Mariners for the next two plus innings.

Although the Mariners took the loss today, it should not be disheartening at all to Mariners fans. You cannot win all the games, and this game still showed some fight back from the offense. In years past, this game could have ended a very defeated final score of 6-0. Spirits are still high for Mariners fans, as there is still two games left in the series. The Mariners can win the next two games and win their 7th series in a row.

Next: Mariners go for 5th Win, 7th Series in a Row

Tomorrow, the Seattle Mariners (17-12) will look to take the lead in the series against the Astros (11-19).  First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 pm at Minute Maid Park on Saturday night. Nate Karns (3-1, 3.81 ERA) will make the start for Seattle in the third game of the series. Opposite Karns will be the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, Dallas Keuchel (2-4, 5.11 ERA). Root Sports Northwest will televise the game locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.