HOUSTON — The Astros have been a persistent pain in the neck for the Mariners for much of the last few seasons. But it was a different type of neck irritant that helped snap Seattle’s four-game winning streak in a 6-3 loss to the Astros on Friday night at Minute Maid Park.
Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, the team’s most consistently successful starter this season, had his start end prematurely because of spasms in the left side of his neck.
He was lifted after just two innings and 35 pitches, having allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits — both homers — with no walks or strikeouts.