The Seattle Mariners dealt the potential knockout blow to the Houston Astros’ hopes of winning a division title.
A seven-run outburst in the second inning Sunday put the game out of reach early, and the Mariners cruised to a 7-3 win over the Astros to finish off a sweep and make a massive statement against their division rival.
Seattle Mariners erupt for 7-run inning against Astros
After entering the series tied for first in the American League West, the Mariners now have a three-game lead over the Astros and hold the tiebreaker, meaning Houston needs to make up four games over the final week of the regular season to win the division.
With six games left, Seattle’s “magic number” to clinch its first AL West title since 2001 is three, which means any combination of Mariners wins and Astros losses that adds up to three.
Three is also the club’s magic number to clinch any playoff berth. In addition to Houston, Seattle’s magic number is three with the Cleveland Guardians, who hold the AL’s third and final wild card.
The Mariners also tightened their grip on the AL’s No. 2 seed, which comes with a first-round bye and homefield advantage in the ALDS. They moved to two games in front of the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers for the second seed, but the Tigers have to make up three due to Seattle holding the tiebreaker.
The loss puts the Astros out of playoff position. They’re tied in the standings with Cleveland for the third wild card berth, but the Guardians hold the tiebreaker.
Seattle broke Sunday’s series finale wide open during the second.
J.P. Crawford hit a grand slam and Cal Raleigh added a two-run home run two batters later to lead the seven-run barrage. Victor Robles had a bases-loaded walk to open the scoring.
RYE BREAD. MUSTARD. @jp_crawford is GRAND! #SeizeTheMoment pic.twitter.com/xts2Ayjq14
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) September 21, 2025
Right-hander Logan Gilbert allowed only one run on three hits and one walk while striking out four over six innings to earn the win.
Zach Cole and Isaac Paredes hit a solo home runs and Jose Altuve had an RBI single for Houston. Alexander allowed a season-high seven runs over 1 1/3 innings, which was his shortest start of the year.
Path to the No. 1 seed
The win kept the Mariners’ outside shot of claiming the AL’s top seed from taking a big hit, but the path to the league’s best record remains narrow.
Seattle is three games behind the AL-leading Toronto Blue Jays, but it needs to make up four games over the final six due to losing the tiebreaker with Toronto. And even if the M’s were to pass the Blue Jays, they’d still need to pass the Yankees.
Seattle is one game behind New York, who are second in the East but hold the top wild card, and would needs to make up two on the Yankees due to losing the tiebreaker. The Yankees finish with three games against the Chicago White Sox and three against the Baltimore Orioles – a pair of last-place teams.
So, the Mariners would likely have to win out while getting some unlikely help to have homefield advantage through the ALCS.
Up next
The Mariners are off on Monday before starting their final homestand of the season with three games against the Colorado Rockies (43-113) starting at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday. Radio coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. with the pregame show on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app.
More on the Seattle Mariners
• ‘Unbelievable’: Robles’ incredible play seals massive Seattle Mariners win
• Cal Raleigh passes Griffey for Mariners’ single-season HR record
• The latest on Seattle Mariners starter Bryan Woo’s injury
• Colt Emerson showcasing ‘unique’ talent in Triple-A
• Seattle Mariners clinch tiebreaker, kick Astros out of playoff position
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