HOUSTON -- As dispiriting as the day started for the Mariners, it finished on a high note.
In the aftermath of Cal Raleigh being placed on the injured list for the first time in his career with a right oblique strain, Seattle ran away to an 8-3 win over the Astros on Thursday afternoon to win this four-game series and cap a 4-3 road trip.
And with it, the haunted have become the haunters.
Because the Mariners don’t just own their former house of horrors at Daikin Park. They’ve also owned the Astros overall -- wherever they play -- having now defeated their division rivals a whopping 10 times in their past 11 meetings, the lone exception being Wednesday's walk-off loss in the 10th inning.
Seattle (22-23) is still looking to truly get going in its quest to defend the American League West title. But despite its shortcomings in 2026, the tides have firmly shifted in a once-heavyweight rivalry with Houston (17-28). It’s only May 14, and the Mariners have already clinched the season series.