Astros at Mariners
The Houston Astros are coming off an epic offensive display as they conclude a three-game series against the host Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. The Astros racked up 22 hits in their 16-9 victory over the Mariners on Tuesday, their best offensive output since piling up 18 runs and 22 hits against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 3, 2010. Houston had scored only 17 runs in its first seven games and was blanked by Seattle on Monday.
The Mariners have lost five of seven games after Tuesday’s disappointing showing. The bright spot was that off-season acquisitions Jason Bay, Raul Ibanez and Michael Morse all homered. Morse is tied for the major-league lead with six homers. Houston has scored 24 runs in its two victories and nine runs in its six losses. The Astros hit five homers Tuesday with Chris Carter going deep twice and Jose Altuve, Marwin Gonzalez and J.D. Martinez all hitting one. “It was only a matter of time,” Astros manager Bo Porter said after his team ended a six-game losing skid. “We’ve had confidence the whole time they could hit.”
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Houston, ROOT Sports (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Brad Peacock (0-1, 4.15 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Blake Beavan (0-0, 9.00 ERA)
Peacock lasted only 4 1/3 innings in his Houston debut while losing to the Oakland Athletics. He allowed two runs and three hits while striking out five and issuing three walks. Peacock spent all of last season in Triple-A in the Athletics’ organization and was dealt to the Astros in the off-season.
Beavan received a no-decision in his first outing when he gave up five runs and six hits in five innings against the Chicago White Sox on Friday. He was touched up for two homers while striking out two and walking none. Beavan gave up 23 homers in 26 starts last season while going 11-11 in his first full major-league campaign.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tuesday’s attendance of 10,745 was the lowest since Safeco Field opened in July, 1999.
2. Seattle 3B Kyle Seager was held out Tuesday after going 1-for-23 over the previous six games.
3. 1B Carlos Pena is the lone Houston player who has faced Beavan. He is 1-for-9.