With first place in the American League West up for grabs this weekend, Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson displayed his resolve to do whatever was necessary to secure the opener of a crucial three-game series against the host Houston Astros.
Wilson summoned All-Star closer Andres Munoz in a non-save situation on Friday, and Munoz locked down a 4-0 victory that elevated the Mariners (85-69) one game ahead of the Astros (84-70) atop the division.
It was Seattle’s 12th win the past 13 games.
“They’re very important games,” Astros manager Joe Espada said after the loss. “I thought we came out ready to play; we just ran into some pretty good pitching, but we’ll bounce back and be ready to go tomorrow.”
That good pitching began with starter Bryan Woo, who left the game due to pectoral tightness after warming up for the bottom of the sixth inning. Woo was dynamic, allowing one hit and one walk with seven strikeouts before departing.
Woo is scheduled for an MRI on Saturday to determine the extent of the injury. However, by the time he vacated the mound, the Mariners led 2-0 and were buoyed by a first-inning homer from Julio Rodriguez that set the tone for the series opener and potentially the entire weekend.
“In some ways, more of a statement than anything else,” Wilson said. “To get on top there, get the score in our favor, and allow Bryan room to do what he does (was vital). And he went out and did what he does.
“It’s definitely something that allows you to get into the game a little bit and buy your pitcher a little cushion. I don’t think Bryan needed much cushion, but he had some. We’ve talked about getting a lead and then adding on runs later is big, and that’s what we were able to do.”
The Mariners hit four solo home runs and moved to 6-5 in the 13-game season series, which would be crucial to determining a tiebreaker, if needed.
Right-hander George Kirby (9-7, 4.46 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Mariners on Saturday. He allowed two runs on three hits with a career-high-tying 14 strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings in an 11-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, his first winning decision in six starts.
Kirby became the first pitcher since Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets in 2021 to record multiple games of 14 strikeouts without a walk in a season.
Kirby is 3-1 with a 2.44 ERA across eight career starts against the Astros. In his most recent outing against them, he allowed five runs on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings in a 9-2 road loss on May 22.
Left-hander Framber Valdez (12-10, 3.59 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Astros. He is 0-3 with a 7.88 ERA in three starts this month after allowing five runs on six hits and four walks with two strikeouts across four innings in an 8-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
The Astros have lost eight of his past nine starts, and Valdez is 1-6 with a 5.85 ERA in that span, which followed his stretch of 10 consecutive winning decisions through July 22.
Valdez is 7-3 with a 3.22 ERA in 18 career appearances (16 starts) against Seattle. He allowed one run on four hits and four walks with five strikeouts over six innings in a 2-1 home win over the Mariners on May 24.
Despite the shutout loss Friday, the Astros got a boost with the return of Isaac Paredes, who had not played since July 19 because of a right hamstring strain. He stepped into the lineup in place of slugger Yordan Alvarez, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left ankle sprain on Friday.
Paredes finished 1-for-3 with a walk as the designated hitter.