Astros proving to be ultimate road warriors
MARINERS LOSE: Houston runs record to 29-9 away from home
SEATTLE — George Springer, Yuli Gurriel and Evan Gattis hit long home runs and the Houston Astros wrapped up another winning road trip, beating the Seattle Mariners 8-2 Sunday.
The Astros went 6-1 on this swing and improved to a major leaguebest 29-9 on the road. They also own the top record in baseball at 52-25.
Houston rookie Francis Martes started in place of Brad Peacock, who’s on the paternity list. Martes gave up two runs in two rough innings, walking four and hitting a batter.
Four relievers combined to shut out the Mariners on three hits for seven innings, with Michael Feliz (3-1) getting the win.
Ariel Miranda (6-4) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk in 7 1/3 innings.
Springer hit his 22nd homer in the fourth. The solo shot hit the batter’s eye in centre field and travelled an estimated 456 feet.
Later in the inning, Carlos Correa added an RBI double and Gurriel hit a two-run homer into the upper deck in left field.
In the ninth, Gattis hit a two-run homer into the upper deck, his fifth of the season.
Robinson Cano staked Seattle a 2-0 lead in the second with a twoout, bases-loaded double. Trying to score from first, Mitch Haniger was ruled out at the plate.
The Mariners challenged the call, which appeared to get overturned when umpire Angel Hernandez gave a safe signal. The umpires then called Haniger out, saying the play stood.
Trainer’s room
Astros: LHP Dallas Keuchel (pinched nerve in neck) will likely return after the All-Star break. He has yet to throw off a mound since being placed on the 10-day DL retroactive to June 5 . ... 1B Marwin Gonzalez (oblique) was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game.
Mariners: OF Ben Gamel (groin) didn’t play after his 15-game hitting streak was snapped Saturday night. 1B Danny Valencia (wrist) also missed his second consecutive game. Valencia and Gamel aren’t expected to go on the DL ... There’s no timetable for RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (shoulder inflammation), out since early May, to resume his rehab assignment after struggling in his first two rehab starts.