White's first homer not enough in Houston

While Kyle Lewis has understandably been garnering much of the focus for his hot start for the Mariners, another rookie has quietly gone about his business. But Evan White made some noise on Monday, shattering the quiet at an empty Minute Maid Park with a 418-foot blast for his first Major League home run.

White’s two-run shot wasn’t enough to offset the Astros in an 8-5 Mariners loss, but it was another positive sign for Seattle in a season that will be judged largely on how well its young prospects perform in the 60-game campaign.

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The 24-year-old first baseman is making the jump straight from Double-A Arkansas, and the defensive standout will obviously face some adjustment period at the plate, but he displayed impressive power with his soaring third-inning smash off Astros right-hander Josh James.

There were questions about whether White would have the pop to be a productive offensive first baseman when he was drafted out of Kentucky in the first round in 2017, but he’s filled out his 6-foot-3 frame in the ensuing years.

The Mariners believe in him so much they gave him a six-year, $24 million deal last winter before he’d ever taken a big league at-bat, and that contract could escalate to nine years and $55.5 million if the Mariners choose to extend it with three potential club options through 2027.

“Evan hits the ball really hard,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said following Monday’s game on a video call from Houston. “He’s made a couple adjustments here over probably the last year or so, understanding how to get the ball in the air a little more consistently.

“He’s got a lot of upside and is really a fun player to watch. He’ll continue to learn as he goes along. First series in the big leagues, I thought he handled himself really well. He’ll only continue to get better.”

Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth retrieved the home run ball for White, who said he’d likely give either that or the ball from his first base hit in Friday’s opener to his dad.

“It felt good,” White said. “I’ve seen myself in a lot of two-strike counts in this opening series, and to be able to put a good swing on that with two strikes was definitely a confidence booster.”

White wound up 2-for-5 for the day, and Lewis also continued his strong early showing by going 2-for-4 with a walk and is batting .400 with two homers and four RBIs after four games.

But Houston took three of four in the season-opening series as the three-time defending American League West champs shook off an impressive early effort from Kendall Graveman in the finale.

Graveman, returning from a 26-month layoff from Tommy John surgery, came out firing as he struck out the side in the first while hitting 95-98 mph with his fastball.

The Astros stayed patient, however, and wound up getting to Graveman for seven runs (six earned) on six hits, three walks and seven strikeouts over four-plus frames. The former A’s Opening Day starter wasn’t happy with the final results, but acknowledged it was good getting back on the mound after so long.

“I wanted the outcome to be better, as I’m sure many people did,” said the 29-year-old right-hander. “But it’s time to go to work. I’m healthy and now after not facing hitters for two years, I can read swings and get back in the flow of things. I’m thankful I’m healthy, but now the outcome has got to be better.”

Graveman’s previous start came 807 days earlier on May 11, 2018, and Servais noted it’s not easy coming back against the defending AL champions, who are now 21-2 against Seattle over the past two seasons.

“It was one of those nights I thought he threw the ball a lot better than what his final line will look like,” Servais said. “First time out in 800-some days, he’s grateful for that opportunity. He’ll get the ball again when we get back home in Seattle, and he’ll be ready next time out.

“He’s a really good teammate. We’re lucky to have him on the club and he’s going to help our guys along the way and we’ll help him as far as getting his innings and getting the results he’s looking for.”