TOTAL MELTDOWN

Astros let late lead slip as Mariners stun Houston with wild rally

Astros let late lead slip as Mariners stun Houston with wild rally
The Mariners beat the Astros, 7-6. Photo by Getty Images.

Randy Arozarena hit a grand slam in the eighth and drew the game-winning walk in the ninth as the Seattle Mariners rallied for seven runs over the final two innings to beat the Houston Astros 7-6 on Wednesday.

Arozarena's slam trimmed Seattle's deficit to one before the Astros made it 6-4 when Jeremy Peña scored on a wild pitch by Casey Lawrence (1-0) in the top of the ninth.

Julio Rodríguez delivered a two-run double in the bottom half to tie it, and a walk to Mitch Garver loaded the bases. Houston got a forceout at home before Bryan Abreu (0-1) walked Arozarena on a full count.

The Astros seemingly had the game in hand after Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball over six shutout innings. They took a 5-0 lead into the bottom of eighth against a Mariners team that went 1 for 19 with runners in scoring position during a 2-1 loss in 12 innings Tuesday night.

Lawrence, called up from the minors Wednesday to provide relief for an overtaxed bullpen, pitched the final three innings, giving up two runs and four hits. Luis F. Castillo started for Seattle and threw 100 pitches in four innings, allowing four runs — three earned — in his second major league start.

The Mariners were without infielder Ryan Bliss, put on the 10-day injured list with a left biceps tear. Seattle also called up infielder Leo Rivas, and pitcher Jesse Hahn was designated for assignment.

Key moment

A replay review determined Seattle’s Donovan Solano got back to third base just in time to avoid a tag by Isaac Paredes on a fielder’s choice grounder in the ninth. Rodriguez followed with his bases-loaded double to tie it.

Key stat

Arozarena went 2 for 3 with a double, two walks and five RBIs in the cleanup spot to raise his batting average to .191.

Up next

Houston had not announced a starting pitcher to face RHP Jack Kochanowicz (1-0, 3.27 ERA) and the Angels at home Friday night.

Mariners RHP Bryce Miller (0-2, 5.73) pitches against Texas RHP Jacob deGrom (0-0, 3.38) on Friday night.

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Jalen Pitre just got paid! Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images.

The Texans flurry of offseason extensions continues as Houston has secured one of the top defenders in its secondary. According to multiple reports, Jalen Pitre is now the highest-paid nickel in the NFL.

Pitre has agreed to a 3-year, $39 million extension with over $29 million in guarantees. Pitre joins pass rusher Danielle Hunter and star corner Derek Stingley, who have also received massive extensions this offseason with Houston.

Pitre has been a key piece of DeMeco Ryans' defense and is now being recognized for it. It was a massive blow for Houston when Pitre went down for the year in Week 12 last season with a torn pectoral muscle.

During Pitre's three seasons with the Texans he's recorded a sack, two forced fumbles, six interceptions, 21 passes defended, and 296 tackles.

The Texans secondary is absolutely loaded for the foreseeable future with Stingley Jr., breakout rookie corner Kamari Lassiter, Super Bowl winning safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, Jimmie Ward, and standout rookie safety Calen Bullock.

Good luck, AFC South quarterbacks!

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