Astros stay healthy, beat Mariners with late HR

Jake Meyers hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to give the Houston Astros a one-game lead in the American League West with a 4-2 victory over the host Seattle Mariners on Saturday night.

Yainer Diaz also did well for the Astros, who improved to 19-6 in their last 25 games, erasing a 10-game deficit to the Mariners in the division race. Houston’s 3-0 win in the series opener Friday moved the club into first place ahead of Seattle by a percentage point.

Julio Rodriguez hit a home run for the Mariners, who have lost five straight and 17 of their last 25.

Astros reliever Tayler Scott (7-3) got the win and Josh Hader worked the ninth for his 20th save of the season.

With Houston trailing 2-1, Jeremy Pena led off the seventh inning by drawing a walk off reliever Ryne Stanek (6-3). Meyers hit a 1-2 fastball just over the 380-foot sign in right-center field to give the Astros the lead with his 11th home run of 2024.

Diaz added a solo shot to left, his eighth home run of the season, off Trent Thornton with two outs in the eighth to provide an insurance run.

Houston right fielder Trey Cabbage robbed Rodriguez of a second home run by jumping the wall in the eighth.

The Astros broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning. Alex Bregman was hit by a pitch and Diaz hit a one-out single to right, sending Bregman to second base. With two outs, Bregman stole third base and scored on an infield single by Pena on a pinch hit to third baseman Dylan Moore.

The Mariners, who were shut out 3-0 in the series opener Friday, took the lead in the sixth inning. Victor Robles drew a leadoff walk and Rodriguez hit a two-run hit down the left-field line on a 2-2 curveball, his 11th home run of the season.

Both starters pitched well, but neither played a role in the decision.

Astros left-hander Framber Valdez allowed two runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings, with four walks and six strikeouts.

Mariners right-hander George Kirby allowed one run on four hits in six innings. Kirby walked no batters and struck out six.

–Field level media