Mariners Clinch West; Astros' Wild-Card Hopes Fade

The Seattle Mariners clinched the AL West. The Houston Astros' postseason hopes are on life support after a 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, when Mike Trout hit two solo homers, including an eighth-inning go-ahead shot, and Kenley Jansen closed the game. Houston built a 3-0 lead on Christian Walker's homer and RBIs from Zach Cole and Yainer Díaz, but starter Jason Alexander lasted only 4 2/3 innings and the bullpen allowed the tying run and Trout's second homer. The defeat leaves Houston needing to win its final two games and have either the Detroit Tigers or Cleveland Guardians lose both, a steep ask compounded by tiebreaker disadvantages held by Detroit, Cleveland and Boston. The season has been ravaged by injuries to key players including Yordan Álvarez, Josh Hader and multiple starting pitchers, and manager Joe Espada's late-inning decisions drew scrutiny after Houston squandered the early opportunity, leaving the franchise facing the realistic possibility of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.