SEATTLE (AP) — Randy Arozarena hit a grand slam In the eighth inning, they tied the game with a walk-off run in the ninth when the Seattle Mariners mounted a comeback to score seven runs in the last two frames, ultimately defeating the Houston Astros 7-6 on Wednesday.
Arozarena's home run cut Seattle's deficit to just one run before the Astros extended their lead to 6-4 in the top of the ninth inning when Jeremy Peña scored due to a wild pitch thrown by Casey Lawrence (1-0).
Julio Rodríguez delivered a two-run double in the bottom half to tie it, and a walk to Mitch Garver loaded the bases. Houston got a forceout at home before Bryan Abreu (0-1) walked Arozarena on a full count.
It seemed like the Astros had control of the game after Hunter Brown threw six scoreless innings with only two hits allowed. They led 5-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning against a Mariners team that struggled, going just 1-for-19 when runners were in scoring position during their 2-1 defeat in 12 innings on Tuesday night.
Lawrence was summoned from the minor leagues on Wednesday to support an exhausted pitching staff and ended up throwing the last three innings, during which he conceded two runs and four hits. Luis F. Castillo got the start for Seattle and made use of 100 pitches across four innings, permitting four runs—three of them earned—in his second appearance in the majors.
The Mariners were without infielder Ryan Bliss He went on the 10-day injured list due to a torn left biceps. In related moves, Seattle brought up infielder Leo Rivas from the minors, and pitcher Jesse Hahn was designated for assignment.
Key moment
Replay review confirmed that Seattle's Donovan Solano reached third base safely before being tagged out by Isaac Paredes during a fielder’s choice ground ball in the ninth inning. This set the stage for Rodriguez, who subsequently hit a double with the bases loaded, tying up the game.
Key stat
Arozarena had a performance of 2 hits out of 3 at-bats including a double, walked twice, and drove in five runs from the cleanup position, boosting his batting average to .191.
Up next
Houston had yet to reveal their starting pitcher for facing RHP Jack Kochanowicz (1-0, 3.27 ERA), who was set to play against them at home on Friday night with the Angels.
The Mariners' right-handed pitcher Bryce Miller (0-2, 5.73 ERA) will take the mound against Texas' right-handed pitcher Jacob deGrom (0-0, 3.38 ERA) on Friday evening.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Key moment
