With just five games to play and sitting two games back for the second and final wildcard spot, the Seattle Mariners needed a win against the Houston Astros. That is exactly what they got. Led by Robinson Cano’s first inning three-run home run, the Mariners routed the Astros 12-4 in their final regular season road game of 2016.

Robinson Cano gets the Mariners on the board early

Robinson Cano rounds the bases after belting his 36th home run of the season | Source: Bob Levey - Getty Images
Robinson Cano rounds the bases after belting his 36th home run of the season | Source: Bob Levey - Getty Images

After Nori Aoki reached base on an infield single and Seth Smith reached on a four-pitch walk, Cano hit a 2-1 pitch into the left field seats to get the Mariners on the board early. After Astros starter Doug Fister gave up a single to Leonys Martin, struck out Mike Zunino and gave up another single to Ketel Marte, he was replaced by Kevin Chapman after facing only nine batters.

Chapman would go on to give up a running scoring single to Aoki to extend the Mariners lead to 4-0. Smith would follow up with a one-out single to right center field the plated Marte and Aoki to give the Mariners a commanding 6-0 lead after two innings.

The Mariners would score once again in the third inning after Marte reached on an infield single to shortstop. Martin would score but the Astros were able to get out of the inning after Chapman would get Smith to ground out to first but the Mariners were in full control leading 7-0 after three innings.

Houston finally gets on the board

Mariners lefty James Paxton gave up a one-out home run to George Springer to cut the Mariners lead to six runs. There would be no more scoring until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Astros plated two more runs.

Jake Marisnick would double to left field and Teoscar Hernandez would come home to score. After Paxton was able to Springer to strike out swinging, Alex Bregman plated another run for Houston after he singled to center to drive in Marisnick. In the sixth inning, Houston would add another run on an Evan Gattis home run to left field. It was Gattis’ 32nd home run of the season. That would be the final run of the game for the Astros.

Mariners play add on

Seattle would add two more runs in the top of the seventh inning. After Nelson Cruz reached on a walk to start the inning, Kyle Seager struck out swinging and Adam Lind grounded out to first and move Cruz to second. Martin stepped up to the plate and singled to left, scoring Cruz. After Martin advanced to second on the throw, he would then steal third base. Zunino would plate him after hitting a ground rule double to deep right field.

Kyle Seager belts his 30th home run of the season | Source: Bob Levey - Getty Images
Kyle Seager belts his 30th home run of the season | Source: Bob Levey - Getty Images

With two men on base, Seager stepped up to the plate and hammered his 30th home run of the season, a career high. After a Lind single to left, Houston was able to get out of the inning not allowing any more runs.

What’s next?

The Mariners return home for a vital four-game homestand against the Oakland Athletics. They currently are 1.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers for the final wildcard spot and will need to win out to have any realistic chance at making the playoffs for the first time since their 116-win season in 2001.

Win – James Paxton (6-7, 3.79 era)

Loss – Doug Fister (12-13, 4.64 era)

Hold – Evan Scribner (3, 0.00 era)

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About the author
Chris Blakely
Chris is an American sports journalist based out of Seattle, Washington. Co-Editor of the soccer section of VAVEL USA. He also is the leading editor of VAVEL USA's NWSL section.