ALDS GAME 1 REACTION
Houston Astros rally, Yordan walks it off to win 8-7 over the Mariners
Oct 11, 2022, 6:29 pm
Astros win Game 1 in historic fashion! Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.
Watch the postgame show live on YouTube!
The Astros started in a hole in Game 1 of the ALDS with Justin Verlander giving up one run in the first inning. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh drove in a run to right field, before Verlander was able to get out of the jam.
The Astros only saw 6 pitches in the bottom of the first and JV was quickly back on the field.
Verlander took the mound in the top of the 2nd with the Astros down 1-0. That wouldn't last long as JV would give up three more runs before getting bailed out with a double play ball to end the inning. (A nice play by Jeremy Pena and Jose Altuve)
Mariners 4, Astros 0.
The Astros got the offense going against Mariners starter Logan Gilbert in the bottom of the third. Chas McCormick started the inning with a base hit. Martin Maldonado then struck out with Jose Altuve coming to the plate. Altuve worked a walk, Jeremy Pena hit a ball deep to center, allowing McCormick to tag up and move to third.
Next up, Yordan Alvarez got a curveball and drove it off the wall in left field, recording a double and driving in McCormick and Altuve. Kyle Tucker stuck out on a breaking ball to end the inning. Mariners 4, Astros 2 heading to the fourth.
It looked like Verlander was starting to get comfortable after striking out the first two batters of the fourth inning. That wouldn't last long as JV gave up a monster home run to J.P. Crawford, then a triple to Julio Rodriguez and a double to Ty France putting the Mariners up 6-2. JV would give up a hit to Eugenio Suarez, but Alvarez threw France out at the plate heading to the bottom of the fourth, Mariners 6, Astros 2.
Yuli Gurriel quickly responded in the bottom of the fourth, hitting a home run to left field. Mancini, McCormick, and Maldonado would go down in order after that. Mariners 6, Astros 3.
After two scoreless innings, the Mariners got on the board again with a solo home run by Eugenio Suarez off of Cristian Javier, making the score 7-3 in the top of the seventh.
The Astros got back on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth after a single off the wall from Yordan Alvarez and an absolute bomb of a homer to left center from Alex Bregman. Mariners flame-throwing reliever Andres Munoz threw Bregman four straight sliders, and clearly it was one too many. Next up, an angry Munoz struck out Kyle Tucker on a 102 MPH fastball. With two outs, Yuli Gurriel collected his third hit of the game, bringing Trey Mancini to the plate with two outs. Mancini stuck out on a slider sending the game to the ninth inning. Mariners 7, Astros 5.
The Astros got a quick clean inning from Rafael Montero and headed to the ninth down two. Christian Vazquez led off the inning with a ground out. David Hensley was then hit by a pitch brining up Altuve who would strike out. With the Astros down to their final out, Jeremy Pena ripped a single to center and the Mariners put in former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray to pitch to Yordan Alvarez.
And Yordan did what Yordan does, he hit a 3-run bomb to win the game.
Final: Astros 8, Mariners 7.
Next up: Game 2 of the ALDS gets started Thursday afternoon at Minute Maid Park.
It’s starting to look like the Astros knew exactly what they were doing.
What once felt like a risky move is quickly shaping up to be a win for Houston — and maybe a defining pivot point for the franchise. In this episode, we dig into how the Astros may actually be better off in the wake of the Kyle Tucker trade, thanks to a new wave of production and smart roster-building.
Cam Smith continues to rise with another eye-catching performance, launching two home runs and making the case that he’s already ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, Isaac Paredes has quietly emerged as a legitimate successor to Alex Bregman, offering power and presence in the infield.
And while Jeremy Peña wasn’t part of the Tucker deal, his 2024 resurgence adds even more fuel to the argument that this team is thriving — not surviving. The Astros aren’t just plugging holes. They’re planning for what’s next.
We also look at the bigger picture: What if Houston had moved on earlier from other aging or underperforming stars? Could they have been ahead of the curve even sooner?
So who’s really winning this breakup — the Astros or Kyle Tucker? We break it all down.
___________________________
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!