Houston, TX – Since going 2-8 in their last three series coming against the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates, the Astros were looking to turn things around against Seattle. They found what they were looking for in the form of back-to-back extra-inning wins thanks to a Yuli Gurriel walk-off home run in game one and walk off base hit in game two. Sunday the Astros were looking keep the momentum and pick up the sweep going against the Mariners.
Astros pitcher Gerrit Cole took the mound to get things started, and it was not the storybook beginning for him. Mariners shortstop J. Crawford hit a 409ft home run in the top of the 1st inning that gave the Mariners an early 1-0 lead. However, the Astros would respond in the bottom of the first as George Springer, and Alex Bregman both walked, and then the 2017 American League MVP Jose Altuve hit a single into right field.
Then the momentum continued as the designated hitter, and new Astros star Yordan Alvarez doubled into right field bringing in Springer and Bregman to give the Astros a 2-1 lead at the end of the 1st. This was Alvarez first appearance in the series after missing the first two games due to knee soreness.
The Astros and Mariners would remain scoreless until the 3rd inning when Alex Bregman hit a triple into left-center field. Then Alvarez added to his RBI total, knocking a single into right field to bring in Bregman giving the Astros a 3-1 lead. The score would remain the same midway through the game despite the Mariners having several missed opportunities with runners on base and in scoring position. The Astros defense stayed sharp highlighted by Josh Reddick making a big catch to end the top of the 6th leaving men on base.
In the bottom of the 8th inning, the Astros bats came alive to extend the lead. Astros outfielder Josh Reddick hit a single into shallow left field. Then catcher Max Stassi doubled into left field. Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick then singled through second base, bringing home Reddick and Strassi. Altuve hit another single into right to bring in Marisnick. This gave the Astros a solid 6-1 lead going into the top of the 9th.
Astros closer Josh James came in to finish off the Mariners and seal the Houston sweep. The Astros now have a 9-1 record against Seattle this season and are 31-13 at home which is the best in the American League. The last time the Astros swept the Mariners was in 2007. Astros pitcher Gerrit Cole recorded nine strikeouts and leads the AL in strikeouts (161). Yordan Alvarez went 2 of 3 with 3 RBI’s and is now the 5th player in MLB history to record 21 RBI’s in his first 16 games.
Jose Altuve finished went 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored, also recording his 141st career 3+ hit game, which ties him with Hall of Fame Astro Jeff Bagwell for the 2nd most in franchise history. For pitcher Josh James, in 16 of 20 his last appearances he hasn’t allowed a run. The Houston Astros will head on the road for a two-game series against the Colorado Rockies on July 2nd and will return home for a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels on July 5th.
Written by James Leyva
(Image Credit: James Leyva / The SkyBoat)
