*Photo from TSN*
Yep, it's been a pretty good week for the Houston Astros so far. Alex Bregman drove in 3 runs, Michael Brantley had himself a two RBI day, and the Astros rolled past the Seattle Mariners with a 7-2 victory on Wednesday afternoon in Houston.
Just one day after the Astros helped manager Dusty Baker become the first black manager in league history to win 2,000 games in his managerial career, and the 12th overall in league history, the Astros picked up a series sweep of the Mariners with some big performances. It's the first sweep of the season for the Astros, who are second in the AL West with a 14-11 record.
The Astros got going pretty quickly, with Yuli Gurriel hitting an RBI double to right field, putting Houston ahead 1-0 early on. In the second inning, Brantley tripled the Astros lead, whacking a two run single up the middle. The lead then became 4-0 on Bregman's first RBI of the night, on an RBI single to left field.
In the 4th inning, the Astros took a 5-0 lead when Bregman flew out to Jarred Kelenic, but it was good for a sac fly to score Jose Altuve. In the 6th inning, Bregman hit an RBI double to left center field, making it a 6-0 Astros lead. Bregman then scored on an RBI single by Yordan Alvarez to make it 7-0. In the 7th inning, Eugenio Suarez hit a two run home run to left center field, getting the Mariners on the board and making it a 7-2 ballgame, wrapping up the scoring.
Making another start for the Astros was Justin Verlander, who is continuing a bounce back after Tommy John surgery. Verlander allowed two runs on 5 hits, striking out 3 hitters in 6 2/3 innings pitched. Ryne Stanek finished the 7th inning, followed by two innings from Parker Mushinski.
Verlander said of his recovery process that "It’s something we’ve been trying to work on and build up smartly. Obviously, we’re in a six-man rotation right now and just trying to get myself back to being able to be in that routine, and throw that many pitches. I think the next big hurdle is seeing how I respond from this. You never know what’s going to happen."
Getting the start for the Mariners was Matt Brash, who got roughed up in a loss. Brash allowed 4 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks, lasting just 3 innings to fall to 1-3 this season. Wyatt Mills allowed one run in two innings, followed by two runs given up by Drew Steckenrider. Penn Murfee had two scoreless innings in his relief outing.
Mariners manager Scott Servais said of their offense against Verlander that "Up and down the lineup, we really didn't put much pressure on him at all today. And I think we've certainly seen Verlander better, but he pitched. He used all of his pitches. He's not going to walk you. He's got a really good feel, and it's probably why he’s headed to the Hall of Fame someday."
Up next, the Astros get back in action on Thursday night, with Jose Urquidy getting the start against the Detroit Tigers. Robbie Ray will start for the Mariners as they host the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night.
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