The Mariners franchise superstar was listed in the lineup Friday after missing the first of a four-game series the day before due to back tightness.

With the slimmest of leads, Joe Espada summoned a matchup. The potential tying run toed first base with two outs in the seventh. Julio Rodríguez loomed for Seattle. Right-hander Bryan Abreu trotted in from the Houston Astros bullpen to face a familiar foe.

George Kirby’s return to the mound ended in a loss and Julio Rodríguez was scratched from the lineup as the Mariners were thumped by the Astros.