Astros at Mariners
The Seattle Mariners attempt to shake off their first loss in five contests when they begin a four-game series against the visiting Houston Astros on Monday. Seattle scored a total of 29 runs during a four-game winning streak before producing just one in Sunday's 2-1 home loss to Oakland.
Taylor Motter provided the run with a solo homer, which was one of only two hits for the Mariners in the setback. Kyle Seager added a single and is 10-for-20 during his five-game hitting streak as he prepares to face Houston, which has lost four of five after dropping a 3-1 decision to Texas in 10 innings on Sunday. The first 21 Astros were retired by Bartolo Colon before Carlos Correa drew a leadoff walk in the eighth inning, advanced on Josh Reddick's double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Yuli Gurriel to forge a 1-1 tie. Three-time American League batting champion Jose Altuve is riding a six-game hitting streak and has recorded at least one hit in 14 of 15 contests since going 0-for-2 on Opening Day.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (0-2, 4.20 ERA) vs. Mariners LH James Paxton (0-1, 5.74)
Keuchel remains in search of his first win of 2018 as he makes his fourth start. The 30-year-old former Cy Young Award winner lasted only four innings in a loss at Minnesota on Tuesday, surrendering three runs on six hits and four walks. Keuchel has made 15 appearances (14 starts) against Seattle in his career, going 8-5 with one complete game and a 2.70 ERA.
Paxton has bounced back from a poor performance in his season debut with two solid outings but has yet to register his first victory of the year. The 29-year-old Canadian has given up just two runs in each his last two turns, including a six-inning effort at Kansas City on Wednesday in which he matched his career high with 10 strikeouts but settled for a no-decision. Paxton owns a 3-3 record and 3.38 ERA in eight lifetime starts against Houston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners 2B Robinson Cano has drawn a walk in five consecutive games and reached safely at least once in all 13 contests this year - the longest such streak to start a season of his career.
2. Houston's starting pitchers have reached double digits in strikeouts in each of the team's last three games.
3. Seattle C Mike Zunino (oblique) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Modesto on Monday.