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Hot start, HRs help Mariners keep pace in Wild Card
- Updated: September 29, 2016
HOUSTON — Leave it to Mariners slugger Robinson Cano to deliver a staggering blow to the Astros’ postseason hopes.
Cano launched a three-run homer in the first inning — his ninth against Houston in 19 games this year — off struggling starter Doug Fister, and Kyle Seager added a three-run homer in the eighth to send Seattle to a 12-4 rout on Wednesday afternoon in the final regular-season game of the year at Minute Maid Park.
“We have a shot,” Seager said as the Mariners prepared to head home for their final four games with an American League Wild Card berth still possible. “We obviously need some help. We can’t control that, but we just need to continue to play as long as they’ll let us.”
The Mariners remained two games back of the Orioles for the second spot in the AL Wild Card race, while the Astros dropped to 3 1/2 games back with three remaining. The O’s, who rallied to beat the Blue Jays on Wednesday night, have a 1 1/2-game lead over the Tigers, who play host to the Indians.
“This is not a position that we’re happy to be in, but it’s the position we are in,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.
Seattle starter James Paxton (6-7) struck out eight batters in five innings, allowing three runs and six hits. Fister (12-13), meanwhile, lost his fifth consecutive decision as he lasted a career-low 1 1/3 innings, allowing five runs and five hits. Houston dropped his final seven starts of the season.
George Springer went deep for the 29th time this season to get the Astros on the board in the third, and Evan Gattis blasted his 32nd homer to lead off the sixth and cut the lead to 7-4. The Mariners put the game away in the eighth when Seager’s 30th homer of the season off Pat Neshek pushed the lead to 12-4.
MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDCano keeps crushing: The Mariners’ second baseman closed out a huge year against the Astros with his three-run opposite-field blast in the first off Fister, which raised his career-high home run total to 36 and …
