HOUSTON —
Mariners vs. Astros live updates
Ninth inning: Julio Rodriguez doubled into the gap. Alvarez strikes again and Astros beat the Mariners 4-2.
With the Mariners trailing 2-0, the ALDS now moves to Seattle for the first postseason game in front of Mariners fans since 2001.
Eighth inning: Raleigh earned strike three for the Mariners and they intentionally walked Yordan Alvarez. Andres Munoz took over the mound in bottom of the inning, then Alex Bregman delivers hit a single to right field off of Andres Munoz. The Astros lead 4-2.
Seventh inning: Castillo struck out Kyle Tucker and forced a flyout from Yuli Gurriel. He has thrown 76 pitches at 97.0+ mph today. The Astros still lead 3-2.
Sixth inning: Mitch Haniger draws two-out walk and Santana hit a double to right field. Cal Raleigh grounds out with the bases loaded. Jeremy Pena hit a bloop single to bring up Yordan Alvarez with two outs. Alvarez then hit a two-run home run. Astros lead 3-2.
Fifth inning: Astros Framber Valdez struck out both Adam Frazier and J.P. Crawford. The score stays at 2-1.
Fourth inning: Eugenio Suarez scored the Mariners' first run of the game after Framber Valdez' errant throw at home. Dylan Moore drove in another run with a single. Mariners lead 2-1.
Third inning: J.P. Crawford's double to deep left field was the Mariners first hit of the game, but an incredible defensive play from Jose Altuve at second base wiped away what would have been a single from Julio Rodriguez.
Luis Castillo struck out the side in the bottom of the second inning.
Second inning: Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker hit a solo home run to right field, giving the Astros an early 1-0 lead.
Meanwhile, Framber Valdez dispatched three more Mariners in an efficient fashion. He's recorded six outs on just 29 pitches.
First inning: Neither team reached base. Mitch Haniger will lead off the second inning for the Mariners.
Game info
- AL Division Series Game 2: Mariners (0–1) at Astros (1–0)
- First pitch: 12:37 pm PT at Minute Maid Park
- Starting pitchers: RH Luis Castillo (8-6, 2.99 earned run average) vs. LH Framber Valdez (17-6, 2.82)
- Radio: Seattle Sports (710 AM) and Mariners.com
- TV: TBS
The Seattle Mariners need a new plan for locking down October-tested Astros star Yordan Alvarez, because what they tried in Game 1 certainly didn't work.
Maybe ace Luis Castillo is the answer. They'll find out when the teams play Game 2 of their AL Division Series on Thursday in Houston.
Alvarez wrecked Seattle's bullpen strategy with one colossal swing Tuesday, giving Houston an 8-7 Game 1 victory with a three-run drive off Robbie Ray with two outs in the ninth inning. Seattle manager Scott Servais called the left-handed Ray — the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner — out of the bullpen just to face the left-handed-hitting Alvarez.
Alvarez, who hit 37 homers in the regular season, spoiled Servais’ move by launching Ray’s second pitch into the right field stands to set off a wild celebration with his mom and dad in the seats. Alvarez had five RBIs in the game.
Castillo, acquired in July from the Cincinnati Reds, could be Seattle's best chance to slow Alvarez and the Astros. The two-time All-Star pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings to beat Toronto in the AL wild-card opener.