HOUSTON — The Seattle Mariners made a statement in the AL West on Tuesday night, launching five home runs to overwhelm Houston 9-3 and push five games clear of the Astros in the division race.
Julio Rodriguez led the assault with two solo shots, his 25th and 26th of the season. Catcher Cal Raleigh also went deep twice, capping his night with a three-run blast in the third inning that broke the game open. Ty France added a solo homer in the fifth.
Seattle was in front from the jump. Rodriguez took Framber Valdez deep in the first. Raleigh followed with a two-run shot in the second to make it 3-0. France's homer pushed it to 6-1 and effectively ended the drama. Valdez lasted only 4.1 innings, surrendering seven earned runs on eight hits with three walks.
George Kirby was equally dominant on the mound. He went six innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out seven, securing his 11th win. Kirby handled Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez — Houston's two most dangerous hitters — holding them to a combined one hit in seven at-bats. The Astros managed seven hits total and struck out 10 times.
The win moves Seattle to 57-45, one game ahead of Texas in the AL West and five clear of Houston. Is this Mariners team for real? When Rodriguez and Raleigh are locked in, this lineup can hurt anyone in baseball. Rodriguez is now hitting .285 with 26 homers and 78 RBI and is making a credible MVP case. Raleigh's 20 homers from the catcher position make him one of the most valuable offensive catchers in the game.
Houston can't afford to drop this series. Five games back in late July with the Rangers breathing down Seattle's neck, the Astros need wins now. Game 2 on Wednesday sets up Luis Castillo against Justin Verlander — a legitimate ace duel and a must-win for Houston.
