Mariners’ bullpen implodes in 6-3 loss to Astros

SEATTLE— It’s too early to panic, right?

Right?

The Seattle Mariners threw away a two-run lead in the eighth inning Tuesday night when Houston stung relievers Charlie Furbush and Danny Farquhar for five runs in rallying to a 6-3 victory at a chilly Safeco Field.

Jose Altuve delivered the killer blow with a three-run double against Farquhar, who took the loss in Monday’s series opener. Altuve had two earlier chances with the bases loaded but made the inning’s final out.

“That was terribly located,” Farquhar said. “I got away with the first two. I was trying to go up and away, and I left it over the middle.”

This was a depressing collapse by the Mariners, who got an encouraging start from Taijuan Walker and built a 3-1 lead against Astros right-hander Collin McHugh through seven innings.

“It’s tough to lose it like this,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “Anytime you lose games, when you think you should win, they’re always tough. This one stings a little bit.”

Furbush (0-1) inherited a two-run lead to start the eighth inning but quickly ran into trouble.

Pinch-hitter Robbie Grossman reached on an error by second baseman Robinson Cano, and Marwin Gonzalez followed with a single through the right side when Cano broke the wrong way.

“(Grossman’s grounder) was spinning and it came up,” Cano said. “I was surprised they gave an error on that one. What else can you say?”

Cano said he didn’t see Gonzalez’s ball off the bat “until it was halfway to second base.” By then, it was too late to recover.

“That was a rocket,” Cano said, “but there are no excuses.”

The two misplays put runners at first and third with no outs.

Chris Carter drove another single up the middle, and the lead was down to 3-2. That also finished Furbush. In came Farquhar with no outs and runners at first and second.

Jed Lowrie batted for Colby Rasmus and walked, which loaded the bases. Jake Marisnick followed with a single into center, and the Astros were even at 3-3.

“Obviously, I didn’t get the first guy out,” Farquhar said. “That didn’t help. I couldn’t stop the bleeding.”

Up stepped Altuve, who was hitless in eight previous at-bats in the series and who had left the bases loaded by grounding into a force play in the fourth inning and lofting a routine fly to center in the sixth.

This time, Altuve lashed a drive down the left-field line that scored all three runs.

“We had a ton of opportunities early,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “Or it felt like we did, but we never had the breakthrough hit until Altuve had the double. It couldn’t have come at a better time.

“What a big inning for us, and a really good win on a tough night.”

For the Mariners, it was a disaster, which they completed by succumbing weakly over the final two innings against Houston relievers Pat Neshek and Chad Qualls.

McHugh (3-0) won his 10th straight decision over two years, which is just two victories shy of the club record set by Wade Miller in 2002. And the Mariners dropped to 5-9.

There were silver linings if you look hard.

Walker rebounded from two disastrous starts by limiting the Astros to one run and four hits in 51⁄3 innings. He walked four but matched a career high with eight strikeouts.

“I definitely don’t like the four walks,” he said, “but it was a start to build off.”

Cano had a pair of RBI, and Brad Miller had a two-out RBI single. Dominic Leone and Carson Smith had strong outings in relief of Walker. Fernando Rodney had a three-strikeout ninth inning.

Nothing but footnotes. And maybe a foot closer to that panic button.

“You just keep playing,” designated hitter Nelson Cruz said. “We don’t have time to feel sorry about anything. Baseball can hit you hard some times. The only thing you can do is go back out there and battle.”

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.

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

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

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.