Mariners’ Mitch Garver provides update after injury scare vs. Astros

Following the loss of starting catcher Cal Raleigh to the injured list, Mitch Garver assumed the role and came through with his most complete performance of the season, helping the Seattle Mariners defeat the Houston Astros 8-3 win on Thursday at Daikin Park.Starting behind the plate in place of Raleigh after his first career IL placement due to a right oblique strain, Garver responded with his first home run of the season. The 369-foot shot came in the fourth inning off Astros starter Mike Burrows and drove in JP Crawford, extending Seattle's lead to 5-1. It was his first homer since Sept. 12.Garver also contributed behind the plate, helping manage Luis Castillo's outing, including an overturned ABS challenge in the fourth inning that changed a ball call into a strikeout against Brice Matthews. The 35-year-old later helped the Mariners escape a tricky situation in the sixth as Castillo worked into the late innings.Garver's night included a defensive scare in the seventh inning when his shin guard got stuck in the dirt during a foul pop-up attempt, causing him to roll awkwardly on his knee. He remained in the game after getting evaluated by trainer Taylor Bennett.“It wasn't my most graceful moment,” Garver said following the win. “I just jammed up my back. There's nothing with my knee or anything. It should be fine.”The Mariners offense provided early support for Castillo, with Luke Raley opening the scoring via a three-run homer in the first inning. Raley's blast was part of a stretch where he became the first Seattle player to reach double-digit homers this year. The offense also featured a season-high seven extra-base hits, with seven of Mariners eight runs coming with two outs. Seattle finished with 11 hits, five walks, and six strikeouts.Castillo earned his first win of the season (now 1-4), allowing three runs on four hits across 5 2/3 innings while throwing 108 pitches. He also struck out six batters. Houston's offense included a 422-foot home run by Yordan Alvarez in the third inning. The Astros also benefited from Braden Shewmake’s double in the sixth, which drove in two runs.The Mariners lineup continued to produce, with Cole Young adding a sixth-inning RBI double and Crawford adding an eighth-inning double. Burrows took the loss after giving up seven runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.Seattle (22-23) secured its 10th win in 11 games against the Astros dating back to last season.The Mariners will next host the San Diego Padres on Friday.Following the loss of starting catcher Cal Raleigh to the injured list, Mitch Garver assumed the role and came through with his most complete performance of the season, helping the Seattle Mariners defeat the Houston Astros 8-3 win on Thursday at Daikin Park.