The Seattle Mariners completed an exhilarating comeback to erase a 6-0, first-inning deficit and beat the AL West rival Houston Astros (SEA 11, HOU 8) on Monday night. It was the thrilling game for a Mariners team that has far exceeded expectations.
Less than 24 hours later, the clubhouse was enraged. The Mariners on Tuesday not only traded away ace reliever Kendall Graveman, who struck out two in a scoreless inning Monday, but they traded him to the Astros in a four-player swap. Graveman has been lights out all season (three earned runs in 33 innings) and now he’ll help Houston as it tries to win the division crown.
“(This) is a move we feel makes us a deeper team today, as well as moving forward,” GM Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. “We are certain to be very active in the hours and days ahead as we remain committed to making moves that will enhance our chances over the season’s final 60 games and hopefully beyond.”
Mariners players in the clubhouse were unwilling to take Dipoto’s words at face value. They were very upset with Graveman being traded to a division rival. Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times has the details.
