Mariners keep slim playoff hopes alive, beat Astros 3-2

SEATTLE (AP) — In what was supposed to be a rebuilding season the Seattle Mariners will go into the final weekend with an outside shot at the postseason.

It's a very slim chance. But for a young team, it's a valuable learning opportunity.

“We’re still playing for something. We still have a little bit of a chance and we know that,” Seattle's Ty France said. “We're coming out with some fire and just running with it right now.”

Nick Margevicius tossed six shutout innings, France drove in a pair of runs and the Mariners kept their slim postseason hopes alive with a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

Seattle closed out the home portion of its schedule taking two of three from the Astros and enter the final weekend three back of Houston with four games to play for second place in the AL West. Seattle closes with four games at Oakland, while the Astros go to Texas for four games.

But it’s not just Seattle still nipping at the Astros. The Los Angeles Angels won again on Wednesday and are 2½ games behind the Astros.

It was Seattle’s first series win against Houston since Sept. 17-19, 2018, when the Mariners took two of three. The Mariners last series win over the Astros in Seattle was back in April 2016.

“Getting a chance to be around them, and manage them and see it come together, it’s really fun,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “It's fun to be around. They have a good time, they stay loose. But when the game starts its all business.”

Houston’s Zack Greinke didn’t make it through the fifth inning and lost to Seattle for just the second time in nine career starts. Greinke (3-3) struggled with control early and France’s RBI double in the first inning gave Seattle an early lead.

The Mariners got to Greinke for two more runs in...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Mariners-keep-slim-playoff-hopes-alive-beat-15592745.php