Astros pitching shines in extra-innings win over Mariners
ASTROS EVEN SERIES
09 April
Josh Hader pitched two scoreless innings in relief. Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images.
Victor Caratini hit the winning RBI single in the top of the 12th inning, as the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Caratini comes through! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/TtKTeRmFWM
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 9, 2025
Caratini came into the game as a pinch hitter in the 10th and struck out, but against reliever Jesse Hahn (0-1), took a curveball the opposite way that plated Brendan Rodgers, who advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Chas McCormick.
The game was tied at one after eight until Caratini's single. The Astros had the bases loaded in the 11th, but a double play ended the rally.
It was a scoreless contest through six innings. Houston rookie Cam Smith hit an RBI triple down the third-base line in the seventh to give the Astros a 1-0 lead.
CAM THE MAN!
1-0 Astros. pic.twitter.com/8QpTPf7KGc
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 9, 2025
Starting pitcher Framber Valdez struck out eight in six innings and No. 9 hitter Jake Meyers had two hits. Ryan Gusto (1-0) pitching an inning of relief for the win and Steven Okert earned his first save.
Seattle’s Luke Raley tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with a run-scoring single. The Mariners finished with just five hits. Luis M. Castillo finished his five-inning outing with six strikeouts in over 100 pitches.
Despite going 3 for 15 with runners in scoring position, Houston has a shot to win the series on Wednesday.
Key Moment
Closer Josh Hader pitched the ninth and 10th innings and didn’t allow a hit to keep the game tied. The lefty used his sinker-slider combo on 21 of his 22 pitches.
Key Stat
Houston’s bullpen finished with 11 combined strikeouts and only allowed one hit.
Up Next
Houston will throw right-hander Hunter Brown (1-1, 3.00 ERA) in Wednesday’s series finale while Seattle will counter with Luis F. Castillo (0-0, 9.00).
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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