Mariners Victorious Against Astros in Return to Minute Maid Park

The Seattle Mariners won three out of four games in their second series against the Astros, These were some of my observations from watching the games.

1. The Mariners have outstanding pitchers! (Of course, Luis Castillo and George Kirby who threw in Houston are All-Stars!) Logan Gilbert and Bryan Woo were excellent also. As a group, they kept the Astros to one run in three games and only three runs in Houston’s sole win.

2. The Mariners can win by hitting well. They had five runs in the first game and ten in the second game.

3. The Mariners do leave players on base when ideally they would have capitalized on the opportunities to score.

Game 1: Thursday, July 6, SEA 5, HOU 1

I especially enjoy games when my team gets ahead and just stays ahead for the whole game.

In the second inning, Eugenio Suarez hit a home run with Jarred Kelenic on base: SEA 2, HOU 0. In the third inning, J.P. Crawford homered: SEA 3, HOU 0.

In the top of the seventh inning, Suarez doubled and then Cal Raleigh sent him home on a single: SEA 4, HOU 0. In the bottom of the seventh, Yainer Diaz singled and when Corey Julks doubled on a ground ball, Diaz scored: SEA 4, HOU 1.

In the top of the ninth, our batting and defending hero, Suarez, homered again: SEA 5, HOU 1. This was the final score.

George Kirby was dynamite from the mound, pitching 6.2 innings, allowing no runs and striking out three Astros. The relieving pitchers—Matt Brash, Andrez Munoz, and Justin Topa—kept the score in a favorable range.

Game 2: Friday, July 7, 2023, SEA 10, HOU 1

Game 2 was clearly my type of game as the Mariners scored a few innings into the game and Houston never got in their groove!

The Astros’ sole run came in the bottom of the third inning. Chas McCormick’s double, Mauricio Dubon’s single, and Alex Bregman’s single led to a score by McCormick.

In the fourth inning, the Mariners’ batting went to town. Kelenic hit a single, Mike Ford walked, and Kolten Wong singled for the first run. Crawford and then Julio Rodriguez singled, sending Ford and Wong home. SEA 3, HOU 1. Hernandez walked and Raleigh singled. Geno Suarez was hit by a pitch. Kelenic walked and Rodriguez scored. SEA 5, HOU 1.

Mike Ford doubled, sending Raleigh, Suarez, and Kelenic home. SEA 8, HOU 1. Kolten Wong doubled and Mike Ford scored. SEA 9, HOU 1. Mike Ford contributed a home run in the ninth, so the final score was SEA 10, HOU 1.

The defense was superb, keeping Houston’s score to one run. Luis Castillo pitched seven innings, striking out three Astros and allowing only one run. He was followed by RHP Isaiah Campbell in his MLB debut who struck out one and allowed no hits, and then Tayler Saucedo who allowed no hits.

Game 3: Saturday, July 8, 2023 SEA 2, HOU 3

The Astros started hitting in the first inning when plays by Pena, Tucker, and Bregman gave Houston the lead: SEA 0, HOU 2

In the third inning, Caballero singled and then stole both 2nd and 3rd bases. Crawford singled, allowing Caballero to score. SEA 1, HOU 2. In the fourth inning, Hernandez doubled and Suarez walked. Caballero singled and Hernandez scored: SEA 2, HOU 2.

In the top of the eighth, Ty France was again hit by a pitch. Hernandez and Suarez walked. Bases were loaded with no outs. Unfortunately, the three batters who came up next had outs, so the three were stranded. It looked like the Mariners and Astros would tie the game, forcing additional innings. Maldonado, however, homered In the bottom of the eighth: SEA 2, HOU 3. The Mariners could not counter with another run of their own in the ninth so the Astros won the third game.

Bryan Woo pitched six innings, striking out four batters and allowing only two runs. Justin Topa and Andres Munoz relieved Woo for the remaining two innings.

Game 4: Sunday, July 9, SEA 3, HOU 1

The Mariners scored all three runs in the fourth inning. Rodriguez made it to first (and then stole second) and France followed after being hit by a pitch yet again. Hernandez doubled allowing Rodriguez to score. Kelenic’s double allowed France and Hernandez to go home: SEA 3, HOU 0.

In the bottom of the sixth, Maldonado homered: SEA 3, HOU 1.

Logan Gilbert struck out six batters, allowing only one run in seven innings pitched. Matt Brash and Paul Sewald kept Houston from scoring again.

The winning series against the Rays, the Giants, and the Astros should give players, management, and fans confidence in our players. No one, however, should let their guard down with Detroit or any future team. I believe hat any MLB team can win or lose against any other one, given the right circumstances. Congratulations, players!!