The Mariners trudge into Houston on Sunday after an agonizing loss in Texas. While it’s hard to beat a team, the Mariners had this game under control, reaching the magic number of five runs scored, only to have the pitchers blow the lead and let the team down after playing so solidly all season. Now it’s going to get even tougher with the Astros, who will likely celebrate their umpteenth AL West victory right in front of the Mariners – which honestly feels like a dose of justice to have the Mariners reminded of what could have been and what they missed.

If you’re interested in keeping up with the playoff hunt, Jake does a great job here at the end of breaking down the interests of all Mariners fans.

Lineups:

The Astros will try their own City Connect magic tonight. It will be the last time they wear the Space City uniforms, which will be retired at the end of this season.

News:

Attentive readers will notice that hitter Yordan Alvarez is missing from the Astros’ lineup. Alvarez was taken out of Sunday’s game with a knee contusion, and a subsequent X-ray showed what appeared to be inflammation. He’s getting an MRI today, but updates likely won’t be available until after the game.

On the Mariners side, the Mariners activated RHP Gregory Soto from the injured list and sent LHP Jhonathan Díaz to the complex in Peoria as the season is over for Tacoma.

Information about tonight’s game:

Playing time: 5:05 PT

Television: ROOT Sports NW, with Angie Mentink and Aaron Goldsmith

Radio: 710 Seattle Sports, with Rick Rizzs and Dave Sims

Today in Mariners history:

• 1995 – Randy Johnson fans 15 A’s and gets his 16^th Victory of the year in a 7-0 win over Oakland.
• 1997 – The Mariners break the record for most home runs by a major league team when Jay Buhner hits a home run in the first inning of a 4-3 win over Anaheim at the Kingdome for the club’s 258th home run of the season.
• 1997 – The Seattle Mariners defeat the California Angels 4-3 to win their second division title in 3 years. The Mariners score four runs in the first inning and Randy Johnson pitches 8 strong innings and records 11 strikeouts for the win.
• 2000 – Edgar Martinez sets a new RBI record for a player age 37 and older by scoring 2 runs for RBI 138 & 139.
• 2001 – Edgar Martinez doubles in Oakland, his 441^st This means he overtook Roberto Clemente on the all-time list of double winners in his career.
• 2008 – JJ Putz records his 100^th Save your career, only the 2^and Pitcher in club history to record at least 100 saves in his career.
• 2010 – Ichiro records his 200th hit, making it his 10th consecutive season with 200 hits in a season, tying him with Pete Rose for the most 200-hit seasons in a career.
• 2015 – Robinson Canó records his 2,000th career hit with a single to left in the eighth inning of the Mariners’ 4-3 loss in 10 innings at Kansas City.