Mariners Challenge Astros to Care Bear Staring Contest, Bring Meatball Cannon
Canzone tries a new kind of Salami
May 12, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Dominic Canzone (8) celebrates with shortstop J. P. Crawford (3) after hitting a grand slam during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park.
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images In what felt like an eternity in today’s pitch-clock era, Dominic Canzone waited over a minute-and-a-half before being allowed to step to the plate in the fourth inning Tuesday. Following J. P.
Crawford’s four-pitch walk, the bases loaded were with nobody out, with a reeling pitcher on the mound struggling to find the strike zone. Astros pitching coach Josh Miller made a mound visit to starter Tatsuya Imai, likely to buy time for the bullpen to warm. Once the visit ended, a back-and-forth between Imai and home plate umpire Jim Wolf ensued, which appeared to be regarding Imai’s ability, or inability, to pitch from the stretch with the bases loaded.
In the end, though, the delay didn’t matter. The first pitch Canzone saw was a hanging cement-mixer of a slider, 87 mph and right over the heart of the plate. He didn’t miss it, launching the ball 105.