Houston, TX – Michael Saunders' go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning was the deciding blow, as the Seattle Mariners overcame a non-traditional no-hit bid from Houston's Erik Bedard to post a 4-2 victory in the second edition of a three-game set.
Bedard (3-7) held a 2-0 lead after five innings. However, he walked Saunders and Brad Miller with one out in the sixth, then a passed ball by Astros catcher Jason Castro with Nick Franklin at the plate advanced both into scoring position before Franklin's fly to center brought across Seattle's first run. Miller scored on another passed ball, but after Raul Ibanez walked, Kendrys Morales flied out to keep it 2-2.
The left-hander exited after issuing a one-out walk to Justin Smoak in the seventh, and the bullpen didn't hold up its end of the bargain. Jose Cisnero fanned Dustin Ackley, but walked Mike Zunino ahead of the deciding hit from Saunders which put Seattle ahead by a 4-2 count.
It was the Mariners' only hit of the night.
"That's the oddest win I've ever been a part of," Saunders said. "To score two runs on no hits and no errors, I don't remember the last time that happened. We're just grinding out at-bats."
Bedard's final line: 6 1/3 innings, no hits, three runs -- one earned -- five walks and 10 strikeouts.
"It's tough to take, but I battled for six innings and kept the team in the ballgame," Bedard said. "It was a grind later on."
Counterpart Hisashi Iwakuma (9-4) worked seven full frames, allowing seven hits and two runs while fanning seven with two walks. Tom Wilhelmsen picked up his second save in as many games and 21st of the year with a scoreless ninth.
The Mariners extended their season-high win streak to five in a row.
Matt Dominguez finished with two hits and scored once, while Castro and Jose Altuve knocked in a run each for the Astros, who have lost four straight games.
Both hurlers were locked in a scoreless duel through the first 4 1/2 innings, but Houston finally repaid Bedard's effort in the fifth by scratching out the game's first runs.
Dominguez singled and Jake Elmore doubled to begin Houston's half of the frame, and after Carlos Pena fouled out, Altuve's deep fly to right scored Dominguez. Elmore then came in after Miller was slow to throw to first on a Castro grounder.
Game Notes
Saturday's win marked the third time in franchise history that Seattle won a game while collecting just one hit. The previous two times were a 2-0 win over Texas on Aug. 15, 1989 and a 1-0 decision against the Yankees on Apr. 27, 2002 ... Arizona was the last team to accomplish the feat in a 1-0 victory over the Dodgers on May 14, 2011 ... Bedard allowed one hit in an appearance twice previously this season, logging a save with a 3 1/3-inning performance against Texas on March 31 and in a four-inning no-decision at Seattle on Apr. 9 that was an eventual 16-9 Astros win ... The Mariners now lead the season series 6-5, having won three of five meetings in Houston ... Astros hurlers Travis Blackley and Jose Veras each turned in a scoreless inning of relief to cap the one-hitter ... Despite the win, Seattle batters fanned a total of 15 times.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.