Houston Astros Defeat Seattle Mariners 9-2 in Key AL West Clash

The Seattle Mariners suffered a 9-2 defeat against the Houston Astros in a pivotal American League West series, marked by the challenging season debut of Mariners pitcher George Kirby following a shoulder injury. Kirby struggled on the mound, allowing five runs on six hits over 3.2 innings, which led to his early removal from the game, though Mariners manager Dan Wilson noted Kirby's attacking approach and potential for improvement. Houston capitalized on Kirby's struggles, with Jose Altuve hitting two home runs and driving in four runs, while Jeremy Peña achieved his 500th career hit with a two-run triple, helping turn the game in the Astros’ favor. Despite early offensive support from Seattle, including a homer by Dylan Moore and an RBI single by Rowdy Tellez, the Mariners could not contain the Astros’ lineup or their pitching, as Lance McCullers Jr. delivered a strong performance. The loss narrowed Seattle's lead in the AL West to 2.5 games, compounded by the absence of key player Julio Rodríguez due to back tightness. The Mariners remain hopeful as Logan Gilbert nears a return from injury, and Kirby expressed confidence in rebounding from his rough outing.