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The Houston Astros entered Saturday's matchup with a chance of finishing off the AL West title. An Astros win and an Angels loss enter the Astros their first AL West crown in franchise history.
The Astros took care of their part, winning 8-6 behind six innings one-run baseball from Dallas Keuchel.
The Astros jumped out early on Mariners starter Erasmo Ramirez. In the second inning, Carlos Betran singled and Alex Bregman walked to lead off the bottom of the frame. After two outs, Derek Fisher collected his third double of the season to score Beltran.
George Springer followed with a single to score Bregman and Josh Reddick made it 4-0 with a double to center field.
The Mariners loaded the bases in the fifth inning with a walk to Danny Valencia, a single to Guillermo Heredia and walk to Carlos Ruiz. But Keuchel worked around the jam with a comebacker from Taylor Motter. Keuchel threw home for one out and Brian McCann completed the double play with a throw to first.
After the Mariners missed their chance, the Astros built on their lead. Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa opened the bottom of the fifth with singles. Beltran picked up his second RBI of the game with a single to center and Bregman grounded into a double play at allowed Correa to score.
Houston led 6-0 after five innings. Everything felt in order after six innings when Keuchel exited.
After a clean inning from Luke Gregerson, Francis Martes struggled in the eighth. He allowed the first five batters to reach and four runs to score before he was pulled for Tony Sipp. Sipp allowed a single to Kyle Seager and was pulled for Joe Musgrove.
Musgrove was the stopper the Astros needed. He tired Mike Zunino, Ben Gamel, and Carlos Ruiz in order in dominating fashion.
The Astros answered the Mariners' five runs with one insurance run. Fisher got his second double of the game and scored on Reddick single.
Musgrove picked up his first save of the save after finishing off his second inning of work, but he did allow a solo shot to Mitch Haniger.