For the first time this season, the Houston Astros were in desperate need of a victory on Tuesday night. The defending World Series Champions got just that, snapping their five-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Seattle Mariners. Evan Gattis and Josh Reddick both connected with two-run home runs, as Houston extended their AL West lead back to four games over the second-place M's, who hold a one-game lead on the Oakland Athletics for the final American League Wild Card spot.
Gattis' 21st home run was the official go-ahead blast, as it broke a 1-1 tie against Mariners starter Mike Leake in the sixth inning. Reddick's homer came in the ninth inning off of Zach Duke, who gave up his first home run of the season. The reliever was recently acquired from the Minnesota Twins.
Charlie Morton earned his 12th win by striking out eight batters over six innings. He allowed a home run to Jean Segura, as well as a Mitch Haniger RBI single, but that was it. He did need 90 pitches to get through six innings, as he was working in and out of trouble all night long. Hector Rondon came on for the ninth to record his 10th save.
Leake suffered his seventh loss for the Mariners, giving up four runs on eight hits while striking out four. He has now allowed at least three earned runs four times in his past 13 starts. Houston dropped the first game of the series at Safeco Field on Monday night, which cut their deficit much slimmer than they expected it to get this year. The series will wrap up with the rubber game on Wednesday.
Gattis' 21st home run was the official go-ahead blast, as it broke a 1-1 tie against Mariners starter Mike Leake in the sixth inning. Reddick's homer came in the ninth inning off of Zach Duke, who gave up his first home run of the season. The reliever was recently acquired from the Minnesota Twins.
Charlie Morton earned his 12th win by striking out eight batters over six innings. He allowed a home run to Jean Segura, as well as a Mitch Haniger RBI single, but that was it. He did need 90 pitches to get through six innings, as he was working in and out of trouble all night long. Hector Rondon came on for the ninth to record his 10th save.
Leake suffered his seventh loss for the Mariners, giving up four runs on eight hits while striking out four. He has now allowed at least three earned runs four times in his past 13 starts. Houston dropped the first game of the series at Safeco Field on Monday night, which cut their deficit much slimmer than they expected it to get this year. The series will wrap up with the rubber game on Wednesday.
