The Seattle Mariners connected with a big swing early in their heavyweight fight with the Houston Astros – and then they did again.
After applying early pressure in the first two games of the pivotal series, the Mariners’ offense erupted for seven runs and seven hits while knocking Houston’s starter out in the second inning of the series finale Sunday.
Mariners’ magic number to win AL West down to three
The Mariners went on to win 7-3 to sweep the huge series in Houston.
Swings from J.P. Crawford and Cal Raleigh did most of the damage in the only inning where Seattle scored Sunday.
Crawford blasted a towering grand slam and Cal Raleigh followed with a two-run shot two batters later to grab a 7-0 advantage.
J.P. CRAWFORD GRAND SLAM IN THE SECOND ☄️
Watch Mariners-Astros on ESPN and the ESPN App 🍿 pic.twitter.com/G43GsqfrM3
— ESPN (@espn) September 21, 2025
Josh Naylor and Jorge Polanco got the big inning started with a pair of infield singles, and Eugenio Suárez loaded up the bases with a line-drive single.
After a bases-loaded walk by Victor Robles, Crawford stepped up and deposited a hanging 1-2 sweeper from Jason Alexander into the seats in right field.
Crawford’s blast traveled 365 feet and came off the bat at 100.8 mph. It was his 12th homer this season and the sixth grand slam of his career.
Per Mariners PR, Crawford is hitting .373 (28 for 75) with seven doubles, two triples and 85 RBIs over his career with the bases loaded.
Randy Arozarena broke an 0-for-21 slump with a single to set up Raleigh. The slugging catcher yanked a changeup on the outside half of the plate 351 feet with a 107.6 mph exit velocity for his MLB-leading 58th home run.
Presenting No. 5️⃣8️⃣ for Big Dumper! #SeizeTheMoment pic.twitter.com/Q6LClJkXRG
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) September 21, 2025
Raleigh’s 58 homers are a single-season Mariners record and tied for 12th all-time in MLB. He passed Ken Griffey Jr. in the Mariners’ record book with No. 57 on Saturday.
The offensive eruption resulted in Alexander being pulled after just 1 1/3 innings of work, his shortest start of the season by 3 1/3 innings.
More on the Seattle Mariners
• ‘Unbelievable’: Robles’ incredible play seals massive Seattle Mariners win
• Mariners clinch tiebreaker, kick Astros out of playoff position
• Cal Raleigh passes Griffey for Mariners’ single-season HR record
• The latest on Mariners starter Bryan Woo’s injury
• Colt Emerson showcasing ‘unique’ talent in Triple-A
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