SEATTLE (AP) — Randy Arozarena hit a grand slam in the eighth and drew the game-winning walk in the ninth as the Seattle Mariners rallied for seven runs over the final two innings to beat the Houston Astros 7-6 on Wednesday.
Arozarena's slam trimmed Seattle's deficit to one before the Astros made it 6-4 when Jeremy Peña scored on a wild pitch by Casey Lawrence (1-0) in the top of the ninth.
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Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena wears a gum bucket to celebrate after his game-winning, bases-loaded walk for a 7-6 win over the Houston Astros in a baseball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) reacts after the second inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña (3) is safe at second as Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford, left, can't make the tag on an error by starting pitcher Luis F. Castillo of a baseball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena reacts to being walked with the bases loaded to score teammate Julio Rodriguez during the ninth inning for a 7-6 win over the Houston Astros in a baseball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez jumps on home plate to score the game-winning run after teammate Randy Arozarena, right, was walked with the bases loaded against the Houston Astros for a 7-6 win in a baseball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena hits a grand slam against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Julio Rodríguez delivered a two-run double in the bottom half to tie it, and a walk to Mitch Garver loaded the bases. Houston got a forceout at home before Bryan Abreu (0-1) walked Arozarena on a full count.
The Astros seemingly had the game in hand after Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball over six shutout innings. They took a 5-0 lead into the bottom of eighth against a Mariners team that went 1 for 19 with runners in scoring position during a 2-1 loss in 12 innings Tuesday night.
Lawrence, called up from the minors Wednesday to provide relief for an overtaxed bullpen, pitched the final three innings, giving up two runs and four hits. Luis F. Castillo started for Seattle and threw 100 pitches in four innings, allowing four runs — three earned — in his second major league start.
The Mariners were without infielder Ryan Bliss, put on the 10-day injured list with a left biceps tear. Seattle also called up infielder Leo Rivas, and pitcher Jesse Hahn was designated for assignment.
A replay review determined Seattle’s Donovan Solano got back to third base just in time to avoid a tag by Isaac Paredes on a fielder’s choice grounder in the ninth. Rodriguez followed with his bases-loaded double to tie it.
Arozarena went 2 for 3 with a double, two walks and five RBIs in the cleanup spot to raise his batting average to .191.
Houston had not announced a starting pitcher to face RHP Jack Kochanowicz (1-0, 3.27 ERA) and the Angels at home Friday night.
Mariners RHP Bryce Miller (0-2, 5.73) pitches against Texas RHP Jacob deGrom (0-0, 3.38) on Friday night.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena wears a gum bucket to celebrate after his game-winning, bases-loaded walk for a 7-6 win over the Houston Astros in a baseball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) reacts after the second inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña (3) is safe at second as Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford, left, can't make the tag on an error by starting pitcher Luis F. Castillo of a baseball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena reacts to being walked with the bases loaded to score teammate Julio Rodriguez during the ninth inning for a 7-6 win over the Houston Astros in a baseball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez jumps on home plate to score the game-winning run after teammate Randy Arozarena, right, was walked with the bases loaded against the Houston Astros for a 7-6 win in a baseball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena hits a grand slam against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston's stingy defense knocked Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the NFL playoffs, sending the Texans to the divisional round to complete wild-card weekend.
The Texans sacked Rodgers four times, scored two defensive touchdowns and held Pittsburgh to 175 yards in a 30-6 victory on Monday night. It was Houston's 10th straight win and the franchise's first on the road in the playoffs.
Mike Tomlin and the Steelers lost their seventh consecutive playoff game, and Rodgers may have played the last game of his Hall of Fame career.
Houston (13-5), the AFC's No. 5 seed, will face the No. 2 seed New England Patriots (15-3) next Sunday at 3 p.m. EST. The No. 2 seed Bears (12-6) will host the No. 5 seed Rams (13-5) in the second game Sunday.
The divisional round will kick off with the No. 6 seed Bills (13-5) at the No. 1 seed Broncos (14-3) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The No. 6 seed 49ers (13-5) will face the top-seeded Seahawks (14-3) in the night game.
In Sunday's wild-card games, Brock Purdy tossed a 4-yard TD pass to Christian McCaffrey with 2:54 remaining to lift the 49ers to a 23-19 comeback win at Philadelphia. McCaffrey also caught a 29-yard TD pass from wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
The Patriots sacked Justin Herbert six times and held Los Angeles to just 207 yards in a 16-3 win on Sunday night.
Josh Allen led Buffalo to a 27-24 comeback victory in Jacksonville in Sunday's first game. Allen scored on a 1-yard run late in the fourth quarter and Cole Bishop intercepted Trevor Lawrence's pass to secure Buffalo's first playoff win on the road since the 1992 AFC championship game at Miami.
On Saturday, the playoffs kicked off with two wacky games.
The Bears trailed the Green Bay Packers 21-3 at halftime and 27-16 with just under seven minutes left in the fourth quarter before Caleb Williams threw a pair of touchdown passes. His 25-yard TD toss to D.J. Moore put Chicago ahead 31-27 with 1:43 remaining. Then Jordan Love's desperation heave into the end zone from the Bears 28 was knocked down as time expired to secure Chicago's first playoff win since the 2010 season.
Williams finished with 361 yards passing, two TDs and two interceptions for the Bears.
In the opener on wild-card weekend, Matthew Stafford threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson in the final minute and Los Angeles rallied to beat the Carolina Panthers 34-31 in a game that was much closer than expected.
The Rams were double-digit favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook against the Panthers (8-10). The Rams jumped to a 14-0 lead, but couldn’t take advantage of first-half turnovers and allowed Carolina to get within 17-14 at halftime.
Stafford, who earned All-Pro honors for the first time in his 17-year career on Saturday, threw for 304 yards, three TDs and had one pick. Puka Nacua, who was a unanimous All-Pro selection, had 10 catches for 111 yards and one TD and also had a 5-yard TD run.
The Rams are back in the divisional round for the second straight season. Last year, they were 13 yards away from eliminating Philadelphia before a sack and an incomplete pass ended their season with a 28-22 loss.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (90) celebrates with cornerback Tremon Smith (11), defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) and linebacker E.J. Speed (45) after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
New England Patriots defensive end Milton Williams (97), linebacker Christian Elliss (53) and linebacker Robert Spillane (14) celebrate Williams' sack of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Dawson Knox (88) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams looks to throw during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)
Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams celebrates after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) reacts after a first down during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson, center left, celebrates his touchdown catch with wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
