SEPTEMBER 9, 2021•SEATTLETIMES.COM
Damn the metrics: Mariners have a resolve that is keeping them in a playoff race stats say they shouldn't be inThe M's have been MLB's most stubborn team — regularly defying projections and computer formulas and general punditry. Who saw this coming?
Marwin Gonzalez - First homer in second Houston stintGonzalez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 8-5 loss to Seattle.
ImpactIn his first start since rejoining the Astros after his release from the Red Sox in August, Gonzalez delivered a go-ahead two-run home run in the second inning. The utility man had all of two homers in 77 contests with Boston. He's now slashing .202/.280/.296 with 22 RBI, 26 runs scored and three stolen bases across 276 plate appearances. Expect the 32-year-old to fill in around the diamond as necessary, but he's unlikely to capture a full-time role at any position.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Alex Bregman - Homers as pinch hitterBregman hit a solo home run in his only at-bat during Wednesday's 8-5 loss to Seattle.
ImpactThe 27-year-old pinch hit for catcher Martin Maldonado in the ninth inning. While Bregman cut the deficit to three runs, Houston's offense stalled out from there. He extended his hitting streak to nine games, during which he's gone 13-for-33 (.394) with two homers, six RBI and four runs scored. For the year, the third baseman is batting .290/.371/.449 with nine long balls, 41 RBI, 44 runs scored and a stolen base in 310 plate appearances.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Jose Altuve - Clubs homer in lossAltuve went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-5 loss to Seattle.
ImpactThe second baseman went yard in the fifth inning. Altuve has homered in consecutive games after failing to put a ball over the fence in all of August. He's hit safely in seven of the last eight contests and now sports a .272/.347/.481 slash line with 27 long balls, 71 RBI, 94 runs scored and four stolen bases across 582 plate appearances.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Ryan Pressly - Stuck with loss WednesdayPressly (5-2) allowed three runs on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus Seattle.
ImpactThe 32-year-old was called upon to pitch the ninth inning of a tied game, but he was removed after allowing a two-run single to Jose Marmolejos. Pressly was charged with an additional run when Blake Taylor yielded a home run to J.P. Crawford. Pressly has recently dealt with arm soreness, and he's now allowed four runs across his last 1.2 innings. He still owns a 2.38 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 71:12 K:BB across 56.2 innings, but he may need some additional rest in the near term. Kendall Graveman or Yimi Garcia could be candidates to receive save chances if Pressly is deemed unavailable at some point.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021•ROTOWIRE
José Urquidy - Labors through short startUrquidy allowed two runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts in three innings versus Seattle on Wednesday. He did not factor in the decision.
ImpactThe right-hander needed 70 pitches (42 strikes) to get through the short appearance. Urquidy is still building up after a two-month absence due to a shoulder injury, but he wasn't very efficient Wednesday. He has a 3.51 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 72:16 K:BB across 84.2 innings this year. It's unclear if he'll be able to throw more in his next scheduled start, tentatively set for a road game versus Texas next week.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021•ROTOWIRE
J.P. Crawford - Pads lead with homerCrawford went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and a walk in Wednesday's 8-5 win over Houston.
ImpactThe shortstop extended Seattle's lead to 8-4 with his ninth-inning blast. Crawford's homer gave Seattle a little more breathing room when Alex Bregman homered in the bottom of the ninth. In his last 16 games, Crawford has gone 19-for-71 (.267), hitting safely in 13 of those contests. He's slashing .267/.332/.364 with seven homers, 44 RBI, 75 runs scored and three stolen bases through 585 plate appearances.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021•ROTOWIRE
