Mariners lose in 18 innings, eliminated from MLB postseason

SEATTLE — The M’s season came to a long, painful end on Saturday.

The Seattle Mariners lost to the Houston Astros 1-0 in Game 3 of the ALDS.

The Mariners were looking to keep their playoff hopes alive on Saturday after falling in the series 2-0. Yordan Alvarez has been causing problems for the M’s, hitting two go-ahead home runs in the last two games to help propel the Astros to victory.

The Mariners would put rookie George Kirby out on the hill, facing off against right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr.

Unlike the first two games, there wasn’t much offense in the game. The teams were scoreless through the first six innings, and both pitchers and defenses were dominating. First baseman Ty France made an impressive double play in the fifth inning, catching Marin Maldonado off guard and tagging him after catching a lazy pop-up.

Kirby would throw seven innings of shutout baseball. He finished the game with five strikeouts, giving up only six hits in that time.

The Mariners came close to scoring a run in the eighth inning after Julio Rodriguez hit a double off the top of the left-field wall.

Andres Muñoz would come in the eighth inning and throw another shutout inning. Diego Castillo started the ninth inning, but after giving up two baserunners and the Astros getting those runners in scoring position after a sacrifice bunt, manager Scott Servais would pull him for Matt Brash.

Brash had ice in his veins, striking out Christian Vasquez and Jose Altuve with runners in scoring position.

Eugenio Suarez started the ninth inning with a base hit. Cal Raliegh would get a fielders choice, finding himself at second base after Mitch Haniger was hit by a pitch. With runners on first and second, Carlos Santana would strike out from a Ryan Pressley curveball. Second baseman Adam Frazier would fly out to center field, sending the game to extra innings.

Brash would throw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the 10th inning, followed by another 1-2-3 inning from the Mariners offense.

In the top of the 16th inning, Rodriguez would make a diving catch with one out, keeping them within striking distance to win the game. But two innings later, shortstop Jeremy Peña would hit a homerun to center field, scoring the first and only run of the game.

The Astros will now play the winner of the Yankees and Guardians series. The Mariners season is officially over.

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