Astros at Mariners
George Springer surely will be looking forward to swinging the bat at Safeco Field on Tuesday, when the Houston Astros visit the Seattle Mariners for the second contest of their four-game set. Springer has hit four homers in 15 career at-bats against scheduled Seattle starter Ariel Miranda and belted his 19th career blast versus the Mariners in Monday's series opener.
Springer launched his 21st career leadoff homer to open Monday's game, but it was Houston's only run in a 2-1 setback that halted its six-game winning streak against the Mariners. The 2017 World Series hero has gotten off to a slow start, but a 2-for-3 performance in the opener gave him four homers and nine RBIs while raising his average to .224. Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz is just 2-for-12 in three games since returning from a stint on the disabled list due to an ankle injury but pounded his third homer of the campaign on Monday. "Nelson Cruz is still not at 100 percent running," Mariners manager Scott Servais told reporters after Monday's victory, "but he's feeling better in the batter's box."
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1, 7.71 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Ariel Miranda (2017: 8-7, 5.12)
McCullers was fortunate to escape with a no-decision in his last turn as he gave up a career-worst eight runs on seven hits and six walks in 3 2/3 innings against Minnesota. The 24-year-old has worked just 14 frames in his three turns but has racked up 23 strikeouts. McCullers is 5-2 with a 2.96 ERA in nine career starts against Seattle and has experienced difficulties retiring Robinson Cano (8-for-22) and Kyle Seager (8-for-21, one homer).
The Mariners will promote Miranda prior to Tuesday's contest as the club needs a fifth starter for the first time this season. The 29-year-old, who has gone 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA in two minor-league outings this year, made 29 starts and two relief appearances for Seattle in 2017. Miranda is 1-2 with a 4.30 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) versus the Astros and has fared well against three-time batting champion Jose Altuve (4-for-18).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Astros had their five-game winning streak at Safeco Field snapped with Monday's loss.
2. Seattle RHP Edwin Diaz improved to 7-for-7 in save opportunities on Monday and has allowed one hit over eight scoreless innings this season.
3. Houston INF-OF Marwin Gonzalez was hitless in four at-bats in the opener and is 0-for-12 over his last three games.