SEATTLE (Interstat) — J.P. Crawford lined a bases-loaded single to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning Saturday, capping a dramatic Seattle Mariners comeback for an 8-7 victory over the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park.

The walk-off win, witnessed by a crowd of 43,294, leveled the season records of both American League West rivals at 6-9 and secured a series victory for the Mariners after they took the opener Friday.

The decisive rally against Astros reliever Bryan Abreu unfolded without a hit initially. Abreu, who took the loss to fall to 0-2, walked Cole Young and Brendan Donovan before issuing a four-pitch walk to Leo Rivas to load the bases with one out. Crawford, who finished 2 for 3 with three RBIs, then delivered the game-winning hit on a sharp liner to left, scoring Young and triggering a celebration at home plate.

The ending was a stark reversal from the game’s early narrative, which was dominated by Houston’s offense. The Astros amassed 17 hits, building a 7-2 lead by the fourth inning. They struck for three runs in the second on Taylor Trammell’s three-run double, added three more in the third on Yordan Alvarez’s solo homer and a two-run single by Cam Smith, and tacked on a final run in the fourth on an Isaac Paredes RBI single.

Alvarez went 3 for 6 with his sixth home run, while Smith was a constant threat, finishing 4 for 5 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Trammell added two hits and three RBIs.

Seattle’s offense, held to just two hits over the first four innings by Houston starter Lance McCullers Jr., erupted in the fifth to erase the five-run deficit. The inning began innocently with a groundout before four consecutive Mariners reached base. Cole Young singled, Dominic Canzone doubled, and Leo Rivas walked to load the bases. Crawford then singled to center, scoring two runs, with a fielding error by Trammell allowing a third run to score and Crawford to advance to second. Cal Raleigh followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 7-5.

With two outs and a runner on, Julio Rodríguez completed the stunning turnaround, launching a two-run homer to center field off reliever Seth Martinez to tie the game at 7. It was Rodríguez’s first home run of the season, and he finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

From there, the game transformed into a battle of bullpens. Seattle’s Casey Legumina provided critical stability with 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Houston received standout work from Bryan King (1 1/3 IP), Kai-Wei Teng (0.2 IP), and AJ Blubaugh (1.0 IP), who combined for three perfect frames to keep the game tied.

Houston threatened in the ninth against Seattle closer Andrés Muñoz, putting runners on second and third with two outs after a double by Smith and a walk, but Muñoz induced a flyout from Alvarez to end the threat. Muñoz earned the win, improving to 2-1.

The most important sequence of the game was undoubtedly Seattle’s five-run fifth inning. After being thoroughly outplayed for the first four frames and facing a commanding deficit, the Mariners sent ten men to the plate. The rally showcased both patience and power, combining a single, a double, a walk, a key error, a sacrifice fly, and the climactic two-run homer from Rodríguez. This outburst not only erased Houston’s sizable lead but also completely shifted the game’s momentum, setting the stage for the eventual ninth-inning heroics.

The Astros, who have lost seven of their last nine games, continued to struggle with runners in scoring position late, stranding 13 men on base overall. The Mariners, despite being out-hit 17-7, capitalized on their limited opportunities and patient approach in the final inning to secure the victory.

The teams conclude their four-game series Sunday afternoon at T-Mobile Park.