Mariners fall 6-4 to Astros in first matchup since last season’s playoff defeat

After rallying to tie the game late against their division rivals, the Mariners fell 6-4 to the Houston Astros on Friday night at T-Mobile Park.

It was the first time the two teams have faced off since last October’s 18-inning marathon that saw the Astros end the Mariners’ first playoff run since 2001 with a 1-0 victory.

Yordan Alvarez got Houston on the board first with a three-run home run in the top of the third inning. The Astros would add another run in the top of the fourth to extend the lead to 4-0.

The Mariners answered in the bottom of the fifth inning on a bases-clearing double by Kolten Wong, just his second extra-base hit of the season, cutting the Astros’ lead to 4-3.

The M’s tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. After consecutive singles by Ty France and Jarred Kelenic, Eugenio Suarez singled to right field to bring in one more run and even the score at four runs apiece.

After Mariners reliever Matt Brash issued a leadoff walk to Jose Abreu in the top of the ninth, a Kyle Tucker two-run homer gave the Astros a 6-4 lead.

The Mariners failed to score a run in the ninth. Teoscar Hernandez led off the inning with a base hit to center field, but after initially being called safe sliding into second base on the play, a replay review revealed that Hernandez was out.

J.P. Crawford would follow with a single, but Taylor Trammell grounded into a double play to end the game.

First pitch for game 2 of the three-game series is set for 6:40 p.m. Saturday.

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