Live-Blogging: Houston Astros at Seattle Mariners 09/27/2023

Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is an American League West showdown, between the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners.

Going into Tonight’s game, Astros are in 2nd in the AL West by 2.5 games behind the Texas Rangers. And they are 0.5 game ahead of the Mariners for the final AL Wild Card.

Astros took the first game thanks to a stellar pitching performance by Justin Verlander. The second game belonged to the Mariners. They got a quality start by George Kirby. The winner of Tonight’s game will have the lead for the Final AL Wild Card spot, going into the final series of the 2023 Regular Season.

The Astros will go with left-hander Framber Valdez. While the Mariners will go with Bryce Miller.

It is the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners, coming up shortly.

​
Starting Lineups:
Houston Astros:
1. Jose Altuve (RHB), 2B
2. Alex Bregman (RHB), 3B
3. Yordan Alvarez (LHB), DH
4. Kyle Tucker (LHB), RF
5. José Abreu (RHB), 1B
6. Michael Brantley (LHB), LF
7. Mauricio Dubón (RHB), 2B
8. Jeremy Peña (RHB), SS
9. Martín Maldonado (RHB), C

Seattle Mariners:
1. J.P. Crawford (LHB), SS
2. Julio Rodríguez (RHB), CF
3. Eugenio Suárez (RHB), 3B
4. Teoscar Hernández (RHB), RF
5. Dylan Moore (RHB), LF
6. Ty France (RHB), 1B
7. Cal Raleigh (SHB), C
8. Sam Haggerty (RHB), DH
9. José Caballero (RHB), 2B

MLB: Houston Astros at Seattle Mariners 09/27/2023

Astros are in their orange jerseys, navy caps, and gray pants. While the Mariners are in their alternate navy jerseys and caps, with white pants.

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Altuve
2. Bregman
3. Alvarez
Bryce Miller (RHP) now starting as Mariners Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
First Pitch around 8:41 pm CDT.
Altuve flies out to T. Hernandez (6 pitches). 1 out.
Bregman draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Runner on 1st.
With Alvarez at-bat, Bregman gets caught stealing by Miller. 2 outs.
Alvarez gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros side is retired. 


Middle of 1st Inning:
HOU 0, SEA 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Crawford
2. Ju. Rodriguez
3. Suarez
Framber Valdez (LHP) now starting as Houston Astros Pitcher.
HOME RUN: J.P. Crawford hits a solo home run off Framber Valdez (2 pitches). HOU 0, SEA 1
​​Ju. Rodriguez draws a base on balls (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #1: Mound Visits Remaining (MVR)-HOU 4, SEA 5
Suarez draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Ju. Rodriguez advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
T. Hernandez strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 1 out.
STOLEN BASE: With T. Hernandez at-bat, Ju. Rodriguez steals 3rd Base. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Moore lines out to Bregman (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Back in July 2022, I Live-Blogged Astros 4-2 Victory Over Mariners 
​France strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.

End of 1st Inning:
HOU 0, SEA 1

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
4. Tucker
5. Abreu
6. Brantley
Miller currently at 15 pitches.
​​Tucker grounds out to Caballero (2 pitches). 1 out.
Abreu strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Brantley hits a 2-out double down the right field line (5 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
Dubon strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros stranded a base runner in scoring position.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
HOU 0, SEA 1

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
7. Raleigh
8. Haggerty
9. Caballero 
Valdez currently at 28 pitches.
Raliegh grounds out to Pena (1 pitch). 1 out.
Haggerty draws a base on balls (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
With Caballero at-bat, Haggerty steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd. 
Caballero strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Crawford draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Ju. Rodriguez strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.

End of 2nd Inning:
HOU 0, SEA 1

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
8. Pena
9. Maldonado 
1. Altuve
Miller currently at 33 pitches.
​Pena grounds out to France (1 pitch). France to Miller on the putout. 1 out.
Maldonado flies out to T. Hernandez (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Altuve hits a 2-out single to left field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Bregman grounds into a 5-4 fielder's choice (4 pitches). 3 outs.


Middle of 3rd Inning:
HOU 0, SEA 1

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
3. Suarez, 0-0
4. T. Hernandez, 0-1
5. Moore, 0-1
Valdez currently at 47 pitches.
​Suarez strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 1 out.
T. Hernandez strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Moore hits a 2-out double to left field line (3 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
France grounds out to Pena (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Mariners stranded a base runner in scoring position.

End of 3rd Inning:
HOU 0, SEA 1

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
​3. Alvarez, 0-1
4. Tucker, 0-1
5. Abreu, 0-1
Miller currently at 45 pitches.
MLB Scores:
HOME RUN: Yordan Alvarez hits a solo home run off Bryan Miller (4 pitches). HOU 1, SEA 1
Tucker flies out to Moore (2 pitches). 1 out.
Abreu singles to center field (3 pitches). Runner on 1st.
MARINERS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR-HOU 4, SEA 4
Brantley singles to right center field (3 pitches). Abreu moves to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
​HOME RUN: Mauricio Dubon hits a 3-run homer off Bryce Miller (2 pitches). Abreu & Brantley score. HOU 4, SEA 1
Topa (RHP) warming up in Mariners Bullpen.
Pena grounds out to Caballero (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Maldonado strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros scored 4 runs, in their half of 4th Inning.

Middle of 4th Inning:
HOU 4, SEA 1

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Raleigh, 0-1
8. Haggerty, 0-0
9. Caballero, 0-1
Valdez currently at 61 pitches.
​Raleigh hits a lead-off single to right field (5 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Haggerty singles off Bregman and into shallow left field (1 pitch). Raleigh advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
​Caballero reaches on a 6-4 fielder's choice (3 pitches). Haggerty is out at 2nd. Raleigh advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
With Crawford at-bat, Valdez attempts a pickoff on Caballlero. 
Crawford draws a bases loaded walk (5 pitches). 
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR-HOU 3, SEA 4
Kendall Graveman (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
Ju. Rodriguez strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 2 outs.
2-RUN-SINGLE: Suarez hits a 2-run single to left field (2 pitches). Raleigh & Caballero score. Crawford advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd. HOU 4, SEA 3
T. Hernandez grounds into a 6-4 fielder's choice (1 pitch). Suarez is out at 2nd. 3 outs.
Mariners scored a pair of runs, in their half of 4th Inning.

End of 4th Inning:
HOU 4, SEA 3


Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Altuve, 1-2
2. Bregman, 0-1
3. Alvarez, 1-2, HR, RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Gabe Speier (LHP) replaces Bryce Miller, as Mariners Pitcher.
​Altuve hits a lead-off double (7 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
Bregman flies out to T. Hernandez (2 pitches). Altuve moves to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 1 out.
Mariners elect to intentionally pass on Alvarez. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
MARINERS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR-HOU 3, SEA 3
Tucker flies out to Moore in shallow left field (1 pitch). Runners on 1st & 3rd. 2 outs.
PITCHING CHANGE: Justin Topa (RHP) replaces Gabe Speier, as Mariners Pitcher. HOU 4, SEA 3
​Abreu grounds into a 6-4 fielder's choice (5 pitches). Alvarez is out at 2nd. 3 outs.
Astros stranded a pair of base runners.

Middle of 5th Inning:
HOU 4, SEA 3

Bottom of 5th Inning:
5. Moore, 1-2
6. France, 0-2
7. Raleigh, 1-2
​PITCHING CHANGE: Kendall Graveman (RHP) replaces Framber Valdez, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
PINCH-HITTING: Jarred Kelenic pinch-hitting for Dylan Moore.
​Kelenic strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
France singles to left field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Hector Neris (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
DOUBLE PLAY: Raleigh grounds into a 4-6-3 double play (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Mariners side is retired. 

End of 5th Inning:
HOU 4, SEA 3

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Brantley, 2-2
7. Dubon, 1-2, HR, 3 RBI
8. Pena, 0-2
Topa currently at 5 pitches.
​DEFENSIVE SWITCH: Jarred Kelenic stays in the game, playing left field. 
Brantley grounds out to Caballero (1 pitch). 1 out.
Dubon grounds out to Suarez (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Pena hits a 2-out infield single to shortstop (3 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Maldonado grounds out to Topa (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner.


Middle of 6th Inning:
HOU 4, SEA 3

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Haggerty, 1-1
9. Caballero, 0-2
1. Crawford, 1-1, HR, RBI
​PITCHING CHANGE: Hector Neris (RHP) replaces Kendall Graveman, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
PINCH-HITTING: Mike Ford pinch-hitting for Sam Haggerty.
Ford gets called out on strikes (6 pitches). 1 out.
PINCH-HITTING: Josh Rojas pinch-hitting for Jose Caballero.
Rojas strikes out on a foul tip caught by Maldonado (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Crawford draws a 2-out walk (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Ju. Rodriguez strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.
BENCH-CLEARING: After the at-bat, Neris was jawing at Julio Rodriguez. And now the benches have cleared. 
Mariners strand a base runner.

End of 6th Inning:
HOU 4, SEA 3

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Altuve, 2-3
2. Bregman, 0-2
3. Y. Alvarez, 1-2, HR, RBI
Topa currently at 12 pitches.
DEFENSIVE SWITCHES: Mike Ford stays in the game at designated hitter. While Josh Rojas stays in the game, playing second base. 
MLB Scores:
Altuve pops out to Rodriguez (1 pitch). 1 out.
Bregman singles to right field (4 pitches). Bregman advances to 3rd, on a fielding error by T. Hernandez. Runner on 3rd.
Mariners elect to intentionally pass on Alvarez. Runners on 1st & 3rd. 
PITCHING CHANGE: Matt Brash (RHP) repalces Justin Topa, as Mariners Pitcher.
RBI-DOUBLE: Tucker hits a RBI-Double to right field line (2 pitches). Bregman scores. Alvarez moves to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd. HOU 5, SEA 3
RBI-SINGLE: J. Abreu hits a RBI-Single to left field (3 pitches). Alvarez scores. Tucker advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. HOU 6, SEA 3
RBI-SINGLE: Brantley hits a RBI-Single to center field (3 pitches). Tucker scores. J. Abreu moves to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Dubon strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Pena flies out to Hernandez (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros turn a fielding error, in to 3 runs. 

Middle of 7th Inning:
HOU 6, SEA 3

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Suarez, 1-2, 2 RBI
4. T. Hernandez, 0-3
5. Kelenic, 0-1
​PITCHING CHANGE: Bryan Abreu (RHP) replaces Hector Neris, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
Suarez draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
T. Hernandez strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 1 out.
Kelenic strikes out swinging (7 pitches). 2 outs.
France pops out to Tucker (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Mariners strand a base runner.


End of 7th Inning:
HOU 7, SEA 3

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
​9. Maldonado, 0-3
1. Altuver, 2-4
2. Bregman, 1-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Trent Thornton (RHP) replaces Matt Brash, as Mariners Pitcher.
HOME RUN: Martin Maldonado hits a solo home run off Trent Thornton (2 pitches). HOU 8, SEA 3
Altuve pops out to France (2 pitches). 1 out.
Alvarez pops out to Rojas (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Tucker flies out to T. Hernandez (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Astros scored a run, off the home run by Martin Maldonado.

Middle of 8th Inning:
HOU 8, SEA 3

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Raleigh, 1-3
8. Ford, 0-1
9. Rojas, 0-1
B. Abreu currently at 18 pitches.
Raleigh gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 1 out.
Ford draws a base on balls (8 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Rojas singles to right field (9 pitches). Ford advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #3: HOU 2, SEA 3
Crawford strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 2 outs.
PITCHING CHANGE: Ryan Pressly (RHP) replaces Bryan Abreu, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
​​Ju. Rodriguez strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Mariners strand a pair of base runners.

End of 8th Inning:
HOU 8, SEA 3

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Abreu, 2-4, RBI
6. Brantley, 3-4, RBI
7. Dubon, 1-4, HR, 3 RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Dominic Leone (LHP) replaces Trent Thornton, as Mariners Pitcher.
​Abreu strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
Brantley singles to right center field (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Dubon flies out to Kelenic (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Pena grounds into an unasissted fielder's choice by Crawford (3 pitches). Brantley is out at 2nd. 3 outs.

Middle of 9th Inning:
HOU 8, SEA 3

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
​3. Suarez, 1-2, 2 RBI
4. T. Hernandez, 0-4
5. Kelenic, 0-2
Pressly currently at 3 pitches.
Suarez draws a lead-off walk (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #4: MVR-HOU 1, SEA 3
T. Hernandez flies out to Dubon (4 pitches). 1 out.
Kelenic singles to left field (4 pitches). Suarez advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
France flies out to Tucker (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Raleigh flies out to Dubon (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Mariners strand a pair of base runners.


Final:
HOU 8, SEA 3
HOU: (87-72)
SEA: (85-73)
W: Graveman
L: B. Miller
PoG: Dubon (HOU) 1-4, HR, 3 RBI
ToG: 3:15

Final Thoughts:
Astros scored 4 runs in the Top of 4th Inning, with homers by Yordan Alvarez & the 3-run homer by Maurico Dubon. 

For the Mariners, they were unable to hit with runners in scoring posiiton. They were 1-for-13 with RISP. 

With the victory, the Astros are a game ahead of the Mariners for the final AL Wild Card spot. However, the Astros are still 2.5 GB of the Texas Rangers, for the top spot of the AL West.

Astros will head to Phoenix, to face the Arizona Diamondbacks. Their 3-game set with Arizona, will start on Friday. While the Mariners will host the Rangers. That 4-game series will begin, Tomorrow Night.

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this post.