Mariners look for another early-count power surge vs. Astros

The Houston Astros might need to rethink how they approach the first pitch to every batter in the visiting Seattle Mariners lineup when the teams meet again on Saturday afternoon.

The Mariners hit three home runs Friday night — all of them on the first pitch, including a two-run shot by catcher Cal Raleigh in the top of the seventh inning that lifted Seattle to a 5-3 victory and evened this four-game series between American League West rivals.

Raleigh snapped a 3-3 tie with his 17th home run of the season, hitting a first-pitch slider from Astros reliever Bryan Abreu off the right field foul pole with two outs in the seventh.

“You just have to be ready,” Raleigh said. “You never know when you’re going to get that pitch to hit. I know for myself, it’s always trying to stay aggressive and be ready to go from the first pitch because that could be the one that will change the game.”

Leody Taveras and Miles Mastrobuoni recorded first-pitch homers off Astros starter Ryan Gusto. Taveras led off the third with his third home run while Mastrobuoni hit his first homer leading off the fifth. The display spoke volumes about the Mariners’ collective approach.

“Guys understand oftentimes that first one is the best one you’re going to see in an at-bat, especially when you have some people on base,” Seattle manager Dan Wilson said. “Being aggressive and getting a pitch that you can handle and then being able to handle it and put a good swing on it.”

Right-hander Bryan Woo (5-1, 2.65 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Mariners on Saturday. He earned a 6-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday after allowing one run on five hits with five strikeouts over seven innings. Woo has worked at least six innings in each of his nine starts this season. He has surrendered one or fewer earned runs in three of four starts this month.

Woo is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA across two career starts against the Astros. In his most start against them, he allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-4 home win last July 21.

Left-hander Framber Valdez (3-4, 3.57 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Astros. He recorded his third consecutive quality start on Sunday against the Texas Rangers, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over seven innings in a 4-3 victory. Valdez has 22 strikeouts against only five walks in those three starts and 22 innings.

Valdez is 6-3 with a 3.33 ERA over 17 career appearances (15 starts) against the Mariners. He did not factor into the decision of a 2-1, 12-inning road victory on April 8 after tossing six scoreless innings and allowing two hits and one walk with eight strikeouts.

Astros right-hander Hayden Wesneski underwent Tommy John surgery on Friday and will miss the remainder of the season. He was acquired alongside third baseman Isaac Paredes and right fielder Cam Smith for Kyle Tucker during the offseason.

–Field Level Media