Light-hitting Mariners capitalize on Astros' shaky pitching

Seattle takes 3-game series lead despite struggling offense

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:22am

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A fractured, geometric painting in vibrant blues, greens, and reds, depicting a baseball game between the Mariners and Astros broken down into overlapping planes, conveying the game's intensity and the teams' contrasting performances.A cubist interpretation of the Mariners capitalizing on the Astros' pitching woes, capturing the game's fractured energy and the teams' contrasting fortunes.Kirby Today

The Seattle Mariners, who entered their series against the Houston Astros with the worst offense in Major League Baseball, have won the first three games of the four-game set thanks to the Astros' struggling pitching staff. The Mariners have 24 hits and 26 walks in the first three games, scoring 23 runs despite going just 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position on Sunday.

Why it matters

The series highlights how a team with a weak offense can still find success by taking advantage of poor pitching, challenging the conventional wisdom that good pitching always beats good hitting. It also raises questions about the Astros' ability to turn around their season after losing seven straight games and going 1-8 on their current road trip.

The details

In Sunday's 6-1 win, the Mariners stranded 12 runners on base, but their patience at the plate and ability to draw walks allowed them to capitalize on the Astros' pitching struggles. Houston has had multiple starting pitchers leave games early due to injuries in recent outings, further exacerbating their pitching woes. The Astros are also dealing with injuries to key position players like shortstop Jeremy Pena and third baseman Carlos Correa.

  • The four-game series between the Mariners and Astros concludes on Monday, April 13, 2026.
  • The Mariners have won the first three games of the series.

The players

Dan Wilson

Manager of the Seattle Mariners.

Cal Raleigh

Catcher for the Seattle Mariners.

Joe Espada

Manager of the Houston Astros.

Jeremy Pena

Shortstop for the Houston Astros.

Carlos Correa

Third baseman for the Houston Astros.

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What they’re saying

“We're starting to do the things that we do as a team and starting to see it come together here a little bit. It's a matter of guys feeling more comfortable at the plate, more confident at the plate, being a little bit more patient and waiting to get their pitch.”

— Dan Wilson, Manager, Seattle Mariners

“Definitely been a lot better these last (three) days. I think just relaxing a little bit — sometimes you want to succeed so badly that you know you can tense up. Everybody in that lineup wants to do good and wants to be the guy to get that big hit for us, and sometimes you just need to relax and let the game come to you.”

— Cal Raleigh, Catcher, Seattle Mariners

“It was that area where (Bolton) got hit with the line drive (in his previous outing). It just tightened up on him. I went out there and asked him because I saw him moving his shoulder and he just said the area was tightening up on him.”

— Joe Espada, Manager, Houston Astros

“Tomorrow's another day. We've got to continue to fight.”

— Joe Espada, Manager, Houston Astros

What’s next

The Astros and Mariners will conclude their four-game series on Monday, April 13, 2026. The Astros will send right-hander Mike Burrows to the mound, while the Mariners will counter with right-hander George Kirby.

The takeaway

This series has challenged the conventional wisdom that good pitching always beats good hitting, as the light-hitting Mariners have taken advantage of the Astros' struggling pitching staff. However, the Astros will look to turn things around and avoid an embarrassing sweep in the series finale.