Astros get by punchless Mariners in 12

Victor Caratini singled home the go-ahead run in the top of the 12th inning as the Houston Astros defeated the host Seattle Mariners 2-1 on Tuesday night.

The Mariners went 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position and 5-for-40 overall (.125) as Houston evened the three-game series between the American League West rivals at a game apiece.

With Brendan Rodgers starting the 12th inning as the runner at second base, Chas McCormick dropped down a sacrifice bunt. Caratini then grounded a single to left field to put the Astros ahead.

Ryan Gusto (1-0) got his first major league victory, with Steven Okert pitching the bottom of the 12th for his second career save.

Jesse Hahn (0-1) took the loss, his first decision in the majors since 2020.

The Astros broke a scoreless tie in the top of the seventh. With one out, Yainer Diaz reached on a two-base throwing error by Seattle third baseman Dylan Moore. Rookie Cam Smith then grounded an RBI triple down the third-base line.

The Mariners tied it in the bottom half of the inning. Mitch Garver led off by lining a single to center off reliever Tayler Scott. With one out, Garver swiped second - his first stolen base since 2022 and just the third of his nine-year career - and scored when Luke Raley hit a hard one-hopper off the glove of diving first baseman Christian Walker.

Neither starting pitcher allowed a run.

Astros left-hander Framber Valdez, who had been battling an illness, wasn't assured to start until telling manager Joe Espada he was ready to go Monday after a 4-3 loss in the series opener. Valdez pitched six innings, gave up two hits, walked one and struck out eight.

The only hits Valdez allowed were a leadoff single to Randy Arozarena in the second inning and a one-out double by Ryan Bliss in the sixth.

Mariners veteran right-hander Luis Castillo went five-plus innings. He gave up five hits, walked two and struck out six.

Castillo cruised through the first three innings before running into trouble in the fourth. Yordan Alvarez drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on Jeremy Peña's one-out single to center. Castillo fanned Brendan Rodgers before walking Diaz to load the bases. Castillo got rookie Cam Smith to fly out to right to get out of the jam.

--Field Level Media