Mariners throttle Astros, stretch lead in AL West

MARINERS 7, ASTROS 1

HOUSTON — Even though it’s only June, the Seattle Mariners know playing well against the Houston Astros will be vital if they hope to reach the postseason for the first time since 2001.

They did that Tuesday night, slugging their way to a lopsided victory that left them two games ahead of the World Series champs in first place in the American League West.

Kyle Seager, Mike Zunino and Jean Segura all homered off Dallas Keuchel (Arkansas Razorbacks) early to back up another solid start by James Paxton and give the Mariners the 7-1 victory.

“Every series against in-division teams is big, but really every game is really important,” Paxton said. “But especially these guys being at the top of the division with them right now, every game puts us ahead of them, so they’re important to win.”

The Mariners’ bats got going early Tuesday night, with Seager hitting a three-run homer in Seattle’s fourrun first and Zunino padding the lead to 6-0 with his two-run shot in the second.

Paxton (5-1) gave up 9 hits and 1 run in 72/3 innings to extend his winning streak to 5 games. The Canadian lefty struck out 6 and walked 1 to lower his ERA to 2.95.

For the Astros, the struggles continued for Keuchel (3-8), the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner. He tied a season-high by yielding seven hits and the seven runs were the most he’s allowed this season. It was the second time he’s given up three home runs this season as he lost for the third time in four games.