Mariners 8, Astros 1
HOUSTON -- Left-hander Mike Montgomery delivered another quality start for an injury-ravaged rotation as the Seattle Mariners used a breakout first inning in an 8-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday at Minute Maid Park.
Montgomery (1-1) gave up one run, six hits and three walks with four strikeouts in six innings, his third consecutive start of at least six innings with two or fewer earned runs allowed.
With left-hander James Paxton currently on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left middle finger, Montgomery has filled the void left by his absence.
The Mariners (28-34) snapped a seven-game losing streakat Minute Maid Park by pouncing on Astros right-hander Collin McHugh (6-3), sending eight batters to the plate in their five-run first inning.
Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison struck the biggest blow, a three-run homer to right field that prevented McHugh from escaping with a 3-0 deficit. Morrison followed an RBI single from right fielder Nelson Cruz and a sacrifice fly by third baseman Kyle Seager as Seattle posted its highest run total in an inning this season.
Morrison struck for a two-run homer in the third, his eighth home run of the season, also to right and also off McHugh, whose monthlong struggles continued after giving up eight runs and nine hits in three innings.
In McHugh's last seven starts, he has allowed 54 hits and nine walks in 40 2/3 innings with an ERA spike from 3.23 to 5.08.
For Morrison, who finished 2-for-4, it marked his third career multi-homer game and his five RBIs matched his career best.
The Astros (35-28) scratched across their run in the fifth when right fielder George Springer doubled to right field one at-bat after catcher Jason Castro doubled to center field with one out.
Springer (2-for-4) and Castro (2-for-3 with a walk) had multi-hit games.
NOTES: The Mariners recalled RHP Danny Farquhar from Triple-A Tacoma to reinforce their strained bullpen. Farquhar began the season with Seattle, posting an 0-3 record with a 6.46 ERA in 20 relief appearances before being optioned to Tacoma on May 25. He was 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in five appearances with the Rainiers. ... Seattle OF Rickie Weeks was designated for assignment after hitting .167/.263/.250 over 37 games. ... Astros 2B Jose Altuve showed signs of improvement after being removed in the first inning Friday night with right hamstring discomfort. Altuve remains day-to-day and is unlikely to play the remainder of the series against the Mariners. ... Astros RHP Brad Peacock returned to Houston for re-evaluation after experiencing discomfort following his first injury rehab assignment on Thursday night. Peacock was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 15 with a left intercostal strain.