Mariners get toVerlander

Mitch Haniger homered while Seattle jumped on Justin Verlander for six runs in two innings, and theMariners beat the Houston Astros 8-6 on Thursday night.

Haniger, Denard Span and Jean Segura combined for 10 hits and seven RBIs with a homer each off Verlander.

Verlander (11-7) was ejected for arguing a balk call after setting a season high for runs allowed.

He failed hard in his bid for his 200th career victory.

James Paxton (10-5) continued his success against the Astros, yielding seven hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings to improve to 4-0 against them this season.

Edwin Diaz allowed a home run to Tyler White with two outs in the ninth before striking out Josh Reddick for his 43rd save.

Haniger had a seasonhigh four hits with two RBIs, Span had three RBIs and finished a double shy of the cycle and Segura added three hits and drove in two runs.

Haniger gave the Mariners their first leadoff homer this season when he sent a fastball from Verlander into left-centre field.

Span followed with his second career triple off Verlander before Segura hit a ground-rule double and Nelson Cruz added an RBI single to make it 30.

Verlander retired the next five batters before Haniger doubled with two outs in the second. He looked to have been picked off at second with Span batting, but Verlander was instead called for a balk.

Verlander barked at home plate umpire Nic Lentz and kept repeating: “I did not,” before throwing his next pitch. Span and Segura then hit back-to-back homers to push the lead to 6-0. Verlander retired Cruz before getting tossed.