M’s eliminated from AL West race after loss to Astros

Seattle’s overall playoff hopes continue to fade rapidly after a sloppy 7-0 loss in Houston.

  • By Xxxxx Xxxxx Associated Press
  • Tuesday, September 18, 2018 8:38pm
  • SportsMariners
The Astros’ George Springer (4) celebrates after a run-scoring single as Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon (9) watches during the third inning of a game Sept. 18, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The Astros’ George Springer (4) celebrates after a run-scoring single as Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon (9) watches during the third inning of a game Sept. 18, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

By Ryan Divish / The Seattle Times

HOUSTON — It was really never theirs to win. Sure there was a time — June 2 to June 13 specifically — where the Seattle Mariners held first place in the American League West. That magical 11-game stretch allowed fans to daydream about such a possibility, which hasn’t happened much in the better part of a decade. But they were interlopers in a lofty spot that didn’t belong to them.

The AL West title — something that Seattle hasn’t won since 2001 — stopped being a reachable goal for this team by mid-July and on Tuesday night the inevitable became official in a 7-0 loss to the Astros. Seattle was mathematically eliminated from winning the American League West.

Elimination from the postseason is yet to be official, but it could happen sooner rather later if they have more performances like their 68th loss of the season. The Mariners certainly didn’t play like a postseason-caliber team, making mistakes in the field, failing with runners in scoring position and giving a better team extra opportunities.

Making his 30th start of the season, right-hander Mike Leake pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up five runs on five hits with no walks, three strikeouts and minimal defensive help behind him, particularly in a third inning that saw the Astros score four runs.

After working through the first two innings without incident, Leake hit Brian McCann with a pitch to start the inning and his problems. Tony Kemp, the Astros No. 9 hitter, pulled a relatively hard ground ball down the first-base line. Robinson Cano, who got the start at first base, but has shown he’s not exactly comfortable or adept at the new position, botched what should have been an out. The lumbering McCann stopped at third base, though he could have made it home because Ben Gamel had trouble picking the ball up in right field. Meanwhile, Kemp was somehow given a double on a play that should have been an error on Cano.

George Springer drove in the first run of the game on a single past the diving Jean Segura. A misplay by Denard Span in left field allowed Springer to move up an extra base.

The Astros made it 2-0 when Kyle Seager mishandled a ground ball from Jose Altuve and couldn’t throw home to make a play on Kemp, instead settling for an out at first.

But the big damage came when Marwin Gonzalez launched a home run to deep left-center. Initially ruled an in-play double, replay review showed the ball was well above the yellow line that makes it a home run.

To his credit, Leake retired the next 11 hitters after the Gonzalez homer, but then gave up a run in the seventh to end his night.

He deserved better in the outing. But given what his teammates provided in run support, he could have been perfect and it wouldn’t have mattered.

Hard-throwing rookie Josh James and four relievers combined to hold the Mariners scoreless in a game for the sixth time this season.

Blessed with a fastball that sat in the upper 90s and touched triple digits, James pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.

The Astros tacked on two more runs in the eighth inning off reliever Nick Rumbelow. A poor effort on a tag by Cano, now playing second, on a stolen-base attempt by Altuve cost the Mariners an out. And then Tyler White’s high fly ball to left-center went uncaught as Span and Dee Gordon had a miscommunication on the warning track, watching the ball drop between them for a RBI double.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

Cam Schlittler’s strong debut freezes Mariners

The Mariners fell to the Yankees, 9-6, on Wednesday night.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

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.