Mariners beat Astros 5-2 to sweep series

HOUSTON — No problems here.

The Seattle Mariners completed a three-game sweep Wednesday afternoon against the Houston Astros by rallying back from an early deficit for a 5-2 victory at Minute Maid Park.

Logan Morrison’s two-run double keyed a four-run sixth inning that propelled the Mariners to their 13th victory in 17 games.

“You see, day in and day out now, what we’re capable of doing,” said left fielder Dustin Ackley, who contributed a second straight three-hit game to a balanced attack.

“I don’t think it’s a fluke anymore. Everybody is starting to see this is what we are capable of doing. We’ve done it consistently. Our pitching has been consistent. We’re in a good spot right now.”

Chris Young (8-4) surrendered a pair of solo homers but little else in his seven innings before Danny Farquhar, Yoervis Medina and Fernando Rodney closed out the victory.

Rodney pitched the ninth for his league-leading 24th save (in 26 chances). Young allowed no hits other than the two homers and walked just one while striking out a season-high eight.

“I don’t know where we would be without C.Y.,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “He’s done a tremendous job for us, and today was no different. It was a quality start, from start to finish.”

The Mariners trailed 2-0 entering the sixth against Astros starter Brad Peacock, who opened the inning with his sixth strikeout before James Jones lined a one-out single over short.

Then Peacock (2-5) fell apart.

He hit Robinson Cano on the back of the leg before loading the bases by walking Kyle Seager on four pitches.

Next, Peacock bounced two pitches to Morrison, and the second one got past catcher Carlos Corporan. Jones scored, and the other runners moved to second and third.

Peacock finally threw a strike on the next pitch, and Morrison pulled it past first baseman Jon Singleton for a two-run double. That quickly, the Mariners led 3-2.

“I was looking for a fastball,” Morrison said, “because he hadn’t thrown many strikes in that last inning. I was looking for a fastball right down the middle, was able to get one and it found a hole.”

The Mariners weren’t done.

John Buck grounded a single up the middle that scored Morrison and finished Peacock. In came Anthony Bass, who was activated prior to the game from the disabled list after missing nearly two months.

Bass ended the inning without further damage, but Peacock’s final line showed four runs and six hits in 51⁄3 innings.

“(Peacock) just lost command of the strike zone,” Houston manager Bo Porter said. “He was in a complete groove and what we felt like complete control of the game.

“Then (Peacock) had the hit batter where he held on to a cut fastball too long. Then he was not able to get back in the zone.”

The Mariners extended their lead to 5-2 against Bass in the seventh after Cano poked a double into the left-field corner and barely beat the throw to the second from Domingo Santana.

Seager followed with a RBI single that beat the shift and scored Cano.

“I thought, early on, we were pretty flat,” McClendon said. “They guy was pitching pretty good. Then the ball behind Robby seemed to rattle the pitcher, and it seemed to energize us a little.”

The Mariners, at 47-38, are nine games over .500 for the first time since finishing the 2007 season at 88-74. The also closed to within 41/2 games of first-place Oakland in the American League West Division.

“We still have a lot to prove,” Young said. “We haven’t played our best baseball yet. We’ll keep getting better. … We don’t care what the external expectations are. We know what we expect of ourselves.”

Morrison’s double was the decisive blow in a 10-hit attack — and that’s the magic number. The Mariners are 27-4 when they get 10 or more hits.

“With our pitching,” Morrison said, “we know if we put up a crooked number, we’ll be fine. We have great pitching and great defense. So it’s up to the offense to score some runs and win ballgames.

“We know Cano is going to hit. If me and Seager are hitting, that’s going to be a big plus for us.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.