Astros 6 - 3 Mariners
Final
  for this game

Astros take down Mariners

Apr 22, 2015 - 6:32 AM Seattle, WA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jose Altuve highlighted Houston's big eighth inning with a three-run double, and the Astros rallied past the Seattle Mariners 6-3 on Tuesday.

The late comeback sent the early AL West leaders to a fourth straight win and an 8-6 record, the club's best start since 2007. It also gave Collin McHugh (3-0) a 10th straight winning decision after he tossed seven quality innings.

"It was good tonight, we'll take the win," said McHugh.

McHugh scattered three runs on seven hits and was in line for the loss before Houston picked apart Seattle's bullpen in the deciding eighth.

Robinson Cano's error started the turnaround, and two straight singles off Charlie Furbush (0-1) from Marwin Gonzalez and Chris Carter pushed a run across, cutting the Astros' deficit to 3-2. Danny Farquhar took over and continued Furbush's ineffectiveness.

Jed Lowrie worked a walk to load the bases, and Jake Marisnick tied things with a line-drive base hit to center. Altuve sent an 0-2 pitch into the left- field corner to clear the bags, and even though Evan Gattis grounded into a double-play to end the inning, the damage was done.

Pat Neshek struck out the side in the eighth, and Chad Qualls added two more punchouts in a perfect ninth to earn his first save of the year.

Taijuan Walker, after surrendering 14 runs over his first two starts, limited the Astros to one run on four hits. He struck out eight and walked four, and his pitch count (101) forced him out of the game with one out in the sixth.

"I thought he was outstanding," said Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon. "He did exactly what I thought he was going to do."

Seattle, which has dropped six of eight overall, scored a run in its first at- bat without a hit. Dustin Ackley led off with a walk, moved up on a wild pitch, advanced on a flyout and scored on Cano's chopper to third.

Brad Miller nearly threw out a runner at home in the third after making a tremendous over the shoulder catch, but replay reversed the out call. Marisnick tug up on George Springer's flyout to short left, and Miller's throw off his back foot pulled Mike Zunino off the plate, allowing Marisnick to slide in safely.

Cano and Miller singled in runs in the third and fourth innings, respectively, but the Mariners left runners in scoring position in both frames.

Game Notes

Walker is 3-0 with a 2.67 ERA (8 ER, 27 IP) in five career starts vs. the Astros and 0-5 with a 5.59 ERA (24 ER, 38.2 IP) in his nine other career appearances ... Thirteen of Seattle's 14 games have been decided by three runs or fewer ... Houston is 7-0 when scoring four or more runs ... McHugh has not lost since July 27, 2014 -- a span of 13 starts ... Houston goes for the three-game sweep on Wednesday with Roberto Hernandez going against J.A. Happ.






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