Even Avoiding Yordan Alvarez Doomed The Mariners

The poor Seattle Mariners just can’t catch a break.

In the first two games of their AL Division Series matchup against the Houston Astros, they have held a lead after five innings.

In both games, Yordan Alvarez ruined their plans with home runs for the Astros to take the lead.

He walked things off on Tuesday with a three-run blast; becoming the fourth player to hit a walk-off homer with his team down in the scoreboard in the postseason.

He did it again on Thursday afternoon, just in the sixth inning.

Mariners starter Luis Castillo had been cruising all game, and his team was up 2-1 on the scoreboard.

The M’s had gotten two runs from the very talented Framber Valdez and were on their way to handing the ball to their bullpen with a lead.

Alvarez had other plans, though: this time, he knocked the ball out to left field, showing he has power to all parts of the field.

The Astros had taken the lead, 3-2.

The Rest Of The Astros Lineup Deserves Respect, Too

In the eighth inning, Alvarez was up again, but the Mariners wanted to take no chances and intentionally walked him.

The thing with the Astros lineup is that yes, Alvarez is clearly their best hitter, but it’s the best and most consistent offense in baseball and has lots of hitters who can do damage too.

“The Mariners intentionally walked Yordan Alvarez to pitch to Alex Bregman. Bregman hits an RBI single on the first pitch!” Fox Sports MLB tweeted.

The Mariners intentionally walked Yordan Alvarez to pitch to Alex Bregman. Bregman hits an RBI single on the first pitch!

(via @mlb)pic.twitter.com/y3qLTIoORq

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 13, 2022

Bregman, in fact, is a very good hitter in his own right.

He had homered in Game 1, setting the stage for Alvarez’s walk-off on Tuesday.

Bregman made Seattle pay.

With the Astros’ offense, you have to choose your poison.