The delay from home plate umpire Jansen Visconti left the fans standing in fretful anticipation.
It was actually catcher Tom Murphy’s scream and dramatic fist pump after receiving Paul Sewald’s perfectly placed 94-mph fastball on the outside corner that let his pitcher and the rest of T-Mobile Park know that this game was over about three seconds before Visconti signaled strike three on Jake Meyers, ending the building ninth-inning drama and securing Seattle’s stunning 1-0 win over the Astros.
For a second straight day, the Mariners held baseball’s best overall offense scoreless. It’s just the second time this season that Houston has been shut out in back-to-back games.
That it came with Yusei Kikuchi starting on Tuesday night and Logan Gilbert getting the nod on a sunny Wednesday afternoon – the two Seattle starters who have struggled of late – made it that much sweeter for the Mariners.
Gilbert delivered a solid if not lengthy outing, working five shutout innings and allowing four hits with no walks and five strikeouts. Relievers Justus Sheffield, Casey Sadler, Drew Steckenrider and Sewald followed with scoreless work for the shutout.
Mimicking the success of Yusei Kikuchi on Tuesday night, Gilbert relied heavily on his mid 90s fastball. Throwing it 60 times in his 94 pitches. It generated 33 swings and 10 called strikes with nine swings and misses. He threw 14 first pitch strikes to the 19 hitters, all of them coming on fastballs.
That lone run came in the sixth inning. J.P. Crawford led off with a crisp single to center off of Astros starter Jake Odorizzi. Mitch Haniger worked a walk to push Crawford into scoring position.
Houston manager Dusty Baker went to his bullpen, bringing in right-hander Phil Maton. He struck out Kyle Seager but walked Ty France to load the bases, bringing Toro to the plate.
He couldn’t replicate his grand slam heroics from the previous night, settling for a high fly ball to mid-center field.
With center fielder Jake Meyers battling the sun and not in a good position to throw home, third base coach Manny Acta didn’t hesitate in having Crawford tag up and go on the catch. He scored with ease and the Mariners had their first run of the game.
