{"id":813040,"date":"2026-09-24T11:36:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T11:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/813040\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T11:36:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T11:36:27","slug":"houston-astros-lose-to-mariners-cant-add-to-al-west-standings-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/813040\/","title":{"rendered":"Houston Astros lose to Mariners, can&#8217;t add to AL West standings lead"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img alt=\"Josh Hader walked in the tying run before giving up a walk-off single to cap the Astros' 10-inning loss to the Mariners on Wednesday in Seattle.\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-gray200 mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Josh Hader walked in the tying run before giving up a walk-off single to cap the Astros&#8217; 10-inning loss to the Mariners on Wednesday in Seattle.<\/p>\n<p>Jack Compton\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>SEATTLE\u00a0\u2014 Wednesday presented the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonchronicle.com\/sports\/astros\/\" data-link=\"native\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"https:\/\/www.houstonchronicle.com\/sports\/astros\/\" class=\"\">Houston Astros<\/a> a ripe chance to augment their position in the waning American League playoff race. They could not seize it and will enter their final regular-season series with the slimmest of division advantages as a result.<\/p>\n<p>Josh Naylor delivered a walk-off single in the 10th inning against closer Josh Hader to send the Astros to a 6-5 loss to the Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Seattle scored twice in the inning against Hader, who had returned for a second inning of work trying to protect a one-run lead.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier in the night, the Rangers fell to the Mets in Arlington. Had they won, the Astros would essentially have taken a two-game lead over Texas with four to play, given the tiebreaker. Instead, the teams will go into their final four games with identical 78-80 records, with the tiebreaker Houston\u2019s only edge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnytime we can get ahead of the game, that\u2019s what you want,\u201d Hader said. \u201cWe came into this road trip trying to win them all. And it sucks that we lost this one and how we did. But we\u2019ve still got to play four more games. We\u2019ve still got to play good baseball and finish out strong.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cObviously, we\u2019ve still got the tiebreaker, so that\u2019s fortunate for us. But we can\u2019t bank on that. We\u2019ve got to win out. And hopefully we\u2019ll look up and we\u2019re in the playoffs.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Yainer Diaz\u2019s triple against Cooper Criswell in the top of the 10th inning drove in Yordan Alvarez for the Astros\u2019 first run since the third. Neither Nelson Vel\u00e1zquez nor Taylor Trammell could drive in Diaz from third base, leaving the Astros with a one-run lead.<\/p>\n<p>Hader, who had thrown 19 pitches in a scoreless ninth, and had not pitched in the previous five days, returned for the 10th. It marked the left-hander\u2019s third multi-inning appearance since returning from separate injured list stints for shoulder and biceps ailments. He entered with a 0.83 ERA.<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>Randy Arozarena worked a leadoff seven-pitch walk and Dominic Canzone\u2019s ground out moved runners to second and third with one out. Cal Raleigh walked to load the bases. Nobody appeared to warm in the Astros\u00a0bullpen behind Hader, who started the next at-bat at 35 pitches.<\/p>\n<p>Julio Rodr\u00edguez fell behind 1-2 but worked an eight-pitch walk, taking a slider off the plate. Naylor then lined the 44th pitch of the night from Hader into center field to end the game. Hader had not thrown as many pitches in a regular-season game since 2019.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTough one,\u201d manager Joe Espada said. \u201cTough one, yeah. We used our entire arsenal there trying to get through that one. Tough loss. Tough loss, yeah. But we\u2019ve got another one tomorrow. But that was a tough one there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Houston mounted a four-run third inning against Mariners starter George Kirby, capped by Diaz\u2019s two-run home run. Kirby allowed nothing more across five innings. Seattle clawed back to forge a tie by the fifth. Astros starter Ethan Pecko allowed three runs in the third. Canzone delivered a game-tying single against Josh Hendrickson, a left-hander making his major-league debut, in the fifth.<\/p>\n<p>Neither of Houston\u2019s starters in the two-game series completed three innings, requiring a heavy bullpen effort. Hendrickson gave Houston two innings in his debut. Logan VanWey, who had thrown two innings Tuesday, returned to record one out. AJ Blubaugh, the major-league leader in relief innings, worked two scoreless to reach 95 \u2153 innings for the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>Rookie pitchers carried Houston through the seventh. Its offense stalled after the third. A one-out single by Christian Walker in the eighth created a rare chance. Espada attempted to capitalize. Jeremy Pe\u00f1a, not starting a night after he was hit on the right forearm by a pitch, pinch-ran for Walker. With two outs, LaMonte Wade Jr. pinch-hit for Cam Smith against right-hander Carlos Vargas.<\/p>\n<p>Pe\u00f1a stole second, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position. Wade took a called third strike, though, ending the inning. Pe\u00f1a did not stay in the game to play defense, apparently available only to run. Bryan Abreu, the first non-rookie pitcher to appear for Houston, worked a scoreless eighth inning to send a 4-4 tie into the ninth. Hader became the Astros\u2019 sixth pitcher of the night, and the last.<\/p>\n<p>Houston<br \/>\nAB<br \/>\nR<br \/>\nH<br \/>\nBI<br \/>\nBB<br \/>\nSO<br \/>\nAvg.<\/p>\n<p>Totals<br \/>\n38<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n10<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n13<\/p>\n<p>Altuve 2b<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n.252<\/p>\n<p>Alvarez dh<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.316<\/p>\n<p>Paredes 3b<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.261<\/p>\n<p>Diaz c<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.282<\/p>\n<p>Walker 1b<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n.221<\/p>\n<p>1-Pe\u00f1a pr<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.275<\/p>\n<p>Vel\u00e1zquez rf<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.190<\/p>\n<p>Trammell lf<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n.196<\/p>\n<p>Smith rf<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.208<\/p>\n<p>b-Wade ph-1b<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.206<\/p>\n<p>Spence cf<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n.150<\/p>\n<p>Allen ss<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.278<\/p>\n<p>Seattle<br \/>\nAB<br \/>\nR<br \/>\nH<br \/>\nBI<br \/>\nBB<br \/>\nSO<br \/>\nAvg.<\/p>\n<p>Totals<br \/>\n35<br \/>\n6<br \/>\n9<br \/>\n6<br \/>\n7<br \/>\n7<\/p>\n<p>Crawford ss-3b<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.220<\/p>\n<p>Arozarena lf<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.279<\/p>\n<p>Canzone dh<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.262<\/p>\n<p>Raleigh c<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n.180<\/p>\n<p>Rodr\u00edguez cf<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.249<\/p>\n<p>Naylor 1b<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.266<\/p>\n<p>Young 2b-ss<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.244<\/p>\n<p>Montes rf<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.182<\/p>\n<p>c-Ward ph-rf<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.223<\/p>\n<p>Wilson 3b<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n.210<\/p>\n<p>a-Arroyo ph-2b<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.304<\/p>\n<p>Houston<br \/>\n004<br \/>\n000<br \/>\n000<\/p>\n<p>10<br \/>\n0<\/p>\n<p>Seattle<br \/>\n003<br \/>\n010<br \/>\n000<\/p>\n<p>9<br \/>\n0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">One out when winning run scored.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">a-flied out for Wilson in the 7th. b-struck out for Smith in the 8th. c-singled for Montes in the 9th.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">1-ran for Walker in the 8th.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">LOB_Houston 8, Seattle 9. 2B_Paredes (27), Allen (6), Alvarez (33), Rodr\u00edguez (26). 3B_Diaz (1). HR_Diaz (14), off Kirby. RBIs_Altuve (46), Paredes (92), Diaz 3 (43), Canzone 3 (75), Rodr\u00edguez 2 (68), Naylor (55). SB_Arozarena (25), Pe\u00f1a (11). CS_Spence (2), Naylor (9), Ward (4). SF_Paredes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">Runners left in scoring position_Houston 4 (Wade, Altuve, Trammell, Diaz); Seattle 2 (Naylor 2). RISP_Houston 3 for 9; Seattle 4 for 7.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">Runners moved up_Canzone.<\/p>\n<p>IP<\/p>\n<p>H<br \/>\nR<br \/>\nER<br \/>\nBB<br \/>\nSO<br \/>\nNP<br \/>\nERA<\/p>\n<p>2<\/p>\n<p>4<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n51<br \/>\n4.31<\/p>\n<p>2<\/p>\n<p>2<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n31<br \/>\n4.50<\/p>\n<p>0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n6<br \/>\n1.74<\/p>\n<p>2<\/p>\n<p>0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n24<br \/>\n3.59<\/p>\n<p>1<\/p>\n<p>1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n18<br \/>\n3.82<\/p>\n<p>1<\/p>\n<p>2<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n44<br \/>\n1.01<\/p>\n<p>IP<\/p>\n<p>H<br \/>\nR<br \/>\nER<br \/>\nBB<br \/>\nSO<br \/>\nNP<br \/>\nERA<\/p>\n<p>5<\/p>\n<p>6<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n96<br \/>\n4.33<\/p>\n<p>1<\/p>\n<p>0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n13<br \/>\n3.92<\/p>\n<p>1<\/p>\n<p>1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n12<br \/>\n3.00<\/p>\n<p>1<\/p>\n<p>1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n17<br \/>\n5.19<\/p>\n<p>1<\/p>\n<p>1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n19<br \/>\n3.69<\/p>\n<p>1<\/p>\n<p>1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n15<br \/>\n3.26<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">Inherited runners-scored_Hendrickson 2-0, VanWey 1-0. WP_Pecko.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">ABS Challenge_Montes (Strike-Overturned to Ball); Trammell (Strike-Confirmed); Canzone (Strike-Confirmed); Hader (Ball-Confirmed).<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">Umpires_Home, Marvin Hudson; First, Tripp Gibson; Second, Jansen Visconti; Third, Ryan Blakney.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">T_3:18. A_24,802 (47,929).<\/p>\n<p>Astros forge four-run third<\/p>\n<p>Kirby retired six of his first seven batters. The right-hander is notorious for avoiding walks. Lucas Spence, just recalled from Triple-A and thrust into center field with Daulton Varsho ailing, worked one to lead off the third inning. Spence was thrown out stealing second, but it perhaps punctured Kirby\u2019s rhythm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>Nick Allen, the ninth hitter, pulled a double. Jose Altuve wheeled on 98 mph and clipped both the left-field line and the leg of third base umpire Ryan Blakney. It caromed for a single, scoring Allen.\u00a0Alvarez roped a liner right by Altuve\u2019s head for a double. Isaac Paredes skied a sacrifice fly to drive in Altuve.<\/p>\n<p>It brought up Diaz, elevated to the cleanup spot with Pe\u00f1a out. Kirby had induced a ground out from Diaz in his first at-bat with a splitter. That, in itself, was unusual.<\/p>\n<p>Entering the day, Kirby had thrown 12 splitters to right-handed hitters all season, per Baseball Savant. He threw two more to righties before Diaz came up again in the third. After a first-pitch fastball, Kirby threw a splitter down and in. Diaz golfed it 358 feet over the left-field wall to give the Astros a 4-0 lead.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we did a nice job trying to get those starters out,\u201d Espada said. \u201cEarly four runs and then after that they did a nice job just kind of stopping our offense.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Houston Astros shortstop Nick Allen reacts after tagging Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor out stealing second base during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"eager\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros shortstop Nick Allen reacts after tagging Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor out stealing second base during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena scores on an RBI single from designated hitter Dominic Canzone during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Seattle Mariners&#8217; Randy Arozarena scores on an RBI single from designated hitter Dominic Canzone during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros shortstop Nick Allen looks on after Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena stole second base during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros shortstop Nick Allen looks on after Seattle Mariners&#8217; Randy Arozarena stole second base during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Seattle Mariners' Cole Young reacts to striking out against Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hendrickson during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Seattle Mariners&#8217; Cole Young reacts to striking out against Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hendrickson during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hendrickson throws against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hendrickson throws against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hendrickson throws against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hendrickson throws against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros starting pitcher Ethan Pecko walks to the dugout after being pulled during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros starting pitcher Ethan Pecko walks to the dugout after being pulled during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros starting pitcher Ethan Pecko walks to the dugout after being pulled during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros starting pitcher Ethan Pecko walks to the dugout after being pulled during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodr\u00edguez hits an RBI double against the Houston Astros during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Seattle Mariners&#8217; Julio Rodr\u00edguez hits an RBI double against the Houston Astros during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz (21) celebrates his two-run home run with Yordan Alvarez, left, who scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros&#8217; Yainer Diaz (21) celebrates his two-run home run with Yordan Alvarez, left, who scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz (21) celebrates his two-run home run with Yordan Alvarez, left, who scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros&#8217; Yainer Diaz (21) celebrates his two-run home run with Yordan Alvarez, left, who scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena watches the two-run home run off the bat of Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena watches the two-run home run off the bat of Houston Astros&#8217; Yainer Diaz during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros&#8217; Yainer Diaz runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros&#8217; Yainer Diaz runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros' Jose Altuve scores on a sacrifice fly by Isaac Paredes during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros&#8217; Jose Altuve scores on a sacrifice fly by Isaac Paredes during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros' Jose Altuve scores on a sacrifice fly by Isaac Paredes during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros&#8217; Jose Altuve scores on a sacrifice fly by Isaac Paredes during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez celebrates a double as Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford, right, looks on during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros&#8217; Yordan Alvarez celebrates a double as Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford, right, looks on during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez follows through on a double against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros&#8217; Yordan Alvarez follows through on a double against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros' Jose Altuve reacts after hitting an RBI single to score Nick Allen against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros&#8217; Jose Altuve reacts after hitting an RBI single to score Nick Allen against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros' Nick Allen scores on an RBI single from Jose Altuve during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros&#8217; Nick Allen scores on an RBI single from Jose Altuve during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros' Nick Allen scores on an RBI single from Jose Altuve during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros&#8217; Nick Allen scores on an RBI single from Jose Altuve during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros starting pitcher Ethan Pecko throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros starting pitcher Ethan Pecko throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford looks on as Houston Astros' Isaac Paredes reacts to hitting a double during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford looks on as Houston Astros&#8217; Isaac Paredes reacts to hitting a double during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodr\u00edguez watches the double from Houston Astros' Isaac Paredes fall in front of him during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodr\u00edguez watches the double from Houston Astros&#8217; Isaac Paredes fall in front of him during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<img alt=\"Houston Astros' Isaac Paredes follows through on a double against the Seattle Mariners during the first inningof a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros&#8217; Isaac Paredes follows through on a double against the Seattle Mariners during the first inningof a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo\/Lindsey Wasson)<\/p>\n<p>Lindsey Wasson\/Associated Press<\/p>\n<p>Mariners answer, chase Ethan Pecko<\/p>\n<p>Pecko, making his seventh major-league outing, posted a 1.72 ERA over his previous three. He followed an opener in two of them, each comprising 5 \u2154 innings of one-run ball. If the Astros wanted to repeat that plan, it was foiled by the bullpen covering seven innings Tuesday after Cristian Javier\u2019s groin injury.<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>Pecko started instead, with a shorter leash given the stakes. He retired six of his first seven batters. But staked to a four-run lead, he did not escape the third inning and a Mariners response.<\/p>\n<p>Lazaro Montes worked a leadoff walk. J.P. Crawford struck a one-out single. A walk to Randy Arozarena filled the bases for Canzone, who scorched a two-run single off the base of the right-field wall. Pecko struck out Raleigh, but a double by Rodr\u00edguez pared the lead to 4-3 and ended his night.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe first two went smooth, but in games like this you can\u2019t give away free bases,\u201d Pecko said. \u201cIt\u2019s a short leash and you\u2019ve got to prove that you\u2019re supposed to be out there and tonight I didn\u2019t do that.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think they realized I was throwing strikes and it was kind of sinker-cutter heavy and they adjusted before I did and they started to jump on some pitches. And as I fell behind they could kind of pick and choose what I wanted to swing at and I think that\u2019s what you saw happen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Memorable debut for Josh Hendrickson<\/p>\n<p>Pecko exited with the tying run on third base and the go-ahead run on second. Hendrickson, promoted pregame from Triple-A to replace Javier on the roster, inherited the jam for his major-league debut.<\/p>\n<p>Hendrickson, a 29-year-old left-hander from Australia, had spent the full season at Triple-A after signing a minor-league deal in mid-April. He posted a 4.75 ERA in 23 outings there. Prior to this season, he had four career outings at Triple-A. He did not pitch in affiliated ball in 2024 or \u201925.<\/p>\n<p>After the Triple-A season ended last weekend, Hendrickson remained in the Houston area on taxi squad, and the Astros called him up Wednesday <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonchronicle.com\/sports\/astros\/article\/cristian-javier-injured-list-22446337.php\" data-link=\"native\" title=\"https:\/\/www.houstonchronicle.com\/sports\/astros\/article\/cristian-javier-injured-list-22446337.php\" class=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">to replace Cristian\u00a0Javier<\/a>.\u00a0Espada said pregame he would not hesitate to \u201cgive (Hendrickson) the ball in big moments.\u201d That proved true.<\/p>\n<p>Hendrickson\u2019s second pitch in the majors induced a ground out from Naylor to end the third inning, stranding two runners and preserving a 4-3 lead.<\/p>\n<p>Espada sent Hendrickson back out to start two more innings. He worked a scoreless fourth, striking out two batters. In the fifth, Arozarena lined a one-out single and stole second. Canzone lined a game-tying single. Hendrickson retired Raleigh on a fly out before Espada emerged to remove him.<\/p>\n<p>Hendrickson faced eight batters in his debut, allowing two hits and no walks and striking out three. He ceded to VanWey with two outs in the fifth.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI thought that was a really awesome major-league debut,\u201d Espada said. \u201cCame in, got some big outs for us \u2026 We needed some help there in the middle and he delivered a really nice outing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Who do Astros play next?<\/p>\n<p>The Astros were set to board a flight after Wednesday\u2019s game for Sacramento, where they will begin a season-ending four-game series against the A\u2019s on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>Peter Lambert will start the series opener for Houston. The Astros have not named any starters beyond the opener, with their pitching plans surely dependent on the state of the division race. The A\u2019s had not announced starters for the series as of Wednesday night. They are 63-95 after a two-game sweep of the Angels in a matchup of the two worst teams in an AL West still up for grabs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Josh Hader walked in the tying run before giving up a walk-off single to cap the Astros&#8217; 10-inning&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":813041,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2392],"tags":[5,89653,620,4,619,65,3235],"class_list":["post-813040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-seattle-mariners","tag-baseball","tag-dallas-sharing","tag-mariners","tag-mlb","tag-seattle","tag-seattle-mariners","tag-seattlemariners"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/117325816369594411","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/813040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=813040"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/813040\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/813041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=813040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=813040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=813040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}