The Mariners lose 4-2 to the Astros on Thursday and now return to Seattle needing to win three straight if they are to advance to the ALCS.
Following the Mariners’ historic and series-clinching 10-9 win over the Blue Jays, there was some sentiment they could be a team of destiny. This feeling only grew, when they held a 7-3 lead over the Astros in Game One of the ALDS with just two innings remaining.
Then reality decided to hit Seattle smackmiddle in the face, as Houston came back with a walk-off 8-7 win. Now, following a 4-2 loss in Game Two on Thursday afternoon, the Mariners are on the brink of having their World Series dream snatched away from them.
The Mariners can take some pride in having held their own on the road against arguably the best team in the Majors. The visitors have more than shown they belong on this stage.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t change the fact Seattle now stands just one loss away from elimination. At least the next game will take place at T-Mobile Park, in the first home playoff action in 21 years.
Game One was the one that got away; a contest the Mariners had no business losing. Game Two wasn’t on the same level – how could it be — but the M’s were still in a good position to get the win and return to Seattle with the 1-1 series split they were aiming for.
Luis Castillo was doing his thing, having allowed just three hits and one run through 5.2 innings. With a 2-1 lead, things were looking good.
Alvarez does it again
Then Yordan Alvarez struck once more, with a two-run blast that gave the Astros a 3-2 lead. Alvarez’s homer may not have been as devastating as Tuesday’s, but it still proved to ultimately win Game Two.
While Alvarez’s home run provided the winning runs, you can argue Jeremy Pena had the defining at-bat in the bottom of the sixth. The Mariners could and maybe should have retired the shortstop, to escape the inning with their 2-1 lead intact.
Like Julio Rodriguez, Pena himself has enjoyed a fine campaign and is a candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year award. As such, there was some poignancy in the Mariners’ budding superstar being involved in one of the game’s most pivotal plays.
Rodriguez was playing deeper than normal in center field, to limit the potential for an extra base hit. However, while no criticism is being levied here, his positioning contributed to what transpired.
Pena hit a pop fly to shallow center field, resulting in Rodriguez running in to attempt to make the play. At the same time however, second baseman Adam Frazier also followed the flight of the ball.
Frazier’s movement resulted in Rodriguez slowing down to avoid running into his teammate. As a consequence, the ball dropped between them, and Pena got on base with a single.
Mariners’ offense lets them down
Houston would go on to add an insurance run in the eighth inning, courtesy of an RBI single by Alex Bregman. In reality though, Thursday’s loss is on the offense.
The Mariners’ only scoring came in the top of the fourth, via RBIs from Carlos Santana and Dylan Moore. However, there should have been more runs by the visitors in a very winnable game.
Yes Seattle only had five hits, but they also manufactured seven walks. On the day they were just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and they stranded nine base runners.
The Mariners’ biggest missed opportunity came in the top of the sixth, when they loaded the bases with two outs. With the clutch-hitting Cal Raleigh coming to the plate, hopes were high the M’s would add to their two runs.
Astros manager Dusty Baker then made the decision to take out his All-Star Southpaw Framber Valdez and replace him with right-handed reliever Hector Neris. This was surprising, given switch-hitting Raleigh is actually stronger from the left side.
In the end though, Baker’s decision proved to be the right one. Raleigh ground out with a soft hit and the Astros avoided going further behind.
Fighting spirit remains
Despite a second consecutive frustrating loss for the Mariners, what was noticeable afterwards was the confidence and positivity emanating throughout the team. As Rodriguez said:
“We’re right there against those guys. They got away with these two games, but it’s not like we’re that far off. I feel like we’re right there, and we’ve definitely got a team to compete with them.”
Mitch Haniger backed up his teammate’s comments. He said:
“We’re just as good as them, and (we) are right with them. So we know we can beat them. We’re looking forward to Saturday, playing at home.”
Raleigh was the most confident of all, as he made what could effectively be construed as a guarantee. He said:
“We’re going to come back Saturday with some vengeance and we’ll be ready to go. We’re going to get it done Saturday and get another one Sunday and bring it back to here for Game Five.”
Manager Scott Servais understandably wasn’t as forthright, but does believe the home fans will cause problems for the Astros. He said:
“I do know how hard it is to win on the road (in the postseason) and it will be very hard for them to win in Seattle. I will tell you that, because I know what it’s going to be like when our crowd gets going.”
George Kirby will take the mound on Saturday at T-Mobile Park, which was the preference over Robbie Ray for a lot of Mariners fans. The Astros will counter with 2017 All-Star Lance McCullers Jr.
How confident are you that the Mariners can get back into the series with a win on Saturday? Or have you already given up hope of beating the Astros? Let us know in the comments section below.
