The Seattle Mariners (63-44) struggled to find their mojo as the Houston Astros (68-41) won 5-2 to even the three-game series between the two AL West foes at 1-1
Jean Segura’s eighth home run of the season gave the Mariners a 1-0 run in the bottom of the fourth but the lead was shortlived as the Astro Jos Reddick’s single to right field brought home Tony Kemp for the tying run. Evan Gattis two-run homer in the sixth inning stretched lead to 3-1 and the visitors never looked back. Josh Reddick added a two-run blast in the ninth inning and to end the Astros season long five-game losing streak.
The Mariners left to runners on base in the bottom of the ninth inning as their July offensive woes continued. The Mariners scored five runs in 26 innings.
“It is going to take everyone contributing,” said Mariners manager Scott Servais. “It can’t be just one guy and you can’t go up there thinking you’re going to hit three-run homers. Everybody’s got to keep grinding through it. But Houston’s got good pitching, the best pitching in the American League.”
Despite the loss, Servais was pleased with the short but effective performance of newly acquired Sam Tuivailal from the St. Louis Cardinals. Tuivailala made his Mariners debut in the 7th inning and retired back -to back batters to end the inning. Tuivailala pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
“I thought Tui threw the ball really well,” Servais said. “We put him in there in a tough spot, with a couple of guys on and the middle of the lineup coming up and he got through it, and he got the big double-play ball. That’s what he can do for us. A lot of upsides and a lot to like in what he does.”
Going into the series finale, the Mariners have to produce some offense if they are to have any chance to win the rubber match. Last nights loss was a double blow as the Mariners loss ground on the AL West-leading Astros and the third-place Oakland Athletics who are now just one game back.
