Toro’s pinch-hit single scores 2 in the 9th, leads the Mariners past the Astros 5-4
Business

Toro’s pinch-hit single scores 2 in the 9th, leads the Mariners past the Astros 5-4

admin


HOUSTON (AP) – Abraham Toro pinch-hit for All-Star Julio Rodríguez and delivered a two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning as the Seattle Mariners rallied past the AL-West leading Houston Astros 5-4 on Saturday night .

Mariners 5, Astros 4: Box Score

Rodríguez was hit on the hand when he swung at a pitch in the top of the eighth inning. He struck out but pitched in the bottom half of the inning before being lifted in the ninth. Rodríguez had X-rays after the game, according to Shannon Drayer.

The Mariners beat Houston for the first time since June 8, snapping a five-game losing streak to the Astros.

Astros closer Ryan Pressly (3-3) entered the ninth inning having converted 21 of his 24 save opportunities this season. Pressly gave up two runs on two hits, walked one and struck out two in the loss in his first blown save since June 23, which came against the New York Yankees.

Erik Swanson (2-0) pitched a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win and Paul Sewald recorded his 13th save in 16 tries.

Seattle starter Chris Flexen pitched eight straight at one point but was not involved in the decision. The flex allowed two runs on three hits with four walks and a strikeout in 5 1/3 innings. It was his third no-decision in his last eight starts.

Aledmys Diaz led off the fifth with a solo homer to left field. Diaz has hit three home runs in the past two games and nine for the season. Diaz finished 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs.

Trailing 3-2 in the seventh, Houston rallied with back-to-back doubles by Martín Maldonado and Jose Altuve and a single by Yuli Gurriel for a 4-3 lead.

Seattle pushed across three runs on singles by Eugenio Suárez and Adam Frazier and a fielder’s choice by JP Crawford in the first as Valdez struck out two batters in the frame.

Valdez settled after the first and allowed three runs on five hits, walking one and striking out seven in seven innings. It marks his majors-leading 18th quality start and his 17th streak, the second-longest streak in Astros history.

TRAINING ROOM

Mariners: LHP Tommy Milone was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a cervical muscle strain. As a result, LHP Brennan Bernardino was optioned from Triple-A Tacoma and OF Marcus Wilson was designated for assignment. … OF Dylan Moore left Saturday’s game with back spasms.

NEXT

Mariners: George Kirby (2-3, 3.50 ERA) is set to make his first start against the Astros on Sunday to close out the four-game series. Last time out, Kirby earned a no-decision against Texas, giving up no runs on two hits and striking out four in five innings.

Astros: Jake Odorizzi (4-3, 4.25 ERA) is scheduled to start on Sunday, looking to get back on the winning side. Odorizzi’s last win came on July 10 in Oakland. Last time out, Odorizzi was tagged for six runs on seven hits in a loss to the Athletics.

How trading Castillo better sets M’s up for playoff success