Astros at Mariners
Less than 24 hours after halting their season-worst five-game skid, the Houston Astros look to win the series when they visit the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday afternoon for the rubber match of their three-game set. Houston posted a 5-2 victory on Tuesday to end its slide and increase its lead over Seattle in the American League West to four games.
The Astros collected 15 hits on Tuesday, with Josh Reddick (homer, three RBIs) and Alex Bregman each going 3-for-5 to highlight the attack. Evan Gattis slugged a two-run homer to finish July with six blasts - the third straight month in which he has belted six or more shots. Seattle has dropped nine of its last 14 games and scored only four runs in the series despite winning Monday's opener. All-Star Jean Segura recorded his first multi-hit performance since July 7 on Friday as he went 2-for-4 with a home run.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (8-9, 3.60 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (6-1, 3.51)
Keuchel lost to Texas in his last turn after winning four consecutive starts and five straight decisions. The 30-year-old gave up three runs and six hits over five innings versus the Rangers after allowing just three runs over 27 2/3 frames during the four-start winning streak. Keuchel was roughed up by Seattle for seven runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings on June 5 to fall to 0-2 with a 5.52 ERA in two starts versus the Mariners this year and 8-7 with a 3.07 ERA in 17 career appearances (16 starts).
Seattle is 11-5 in LeBlanc's starts this season as the veteran routinely keeps the club in games before departing. The 33-year-old did not factor in the decision in his last turn, when he allowed three runs and five hits over six innings against the Los Angeles Angels. LeBlanc yielded three runs and seven hits in four frames of a no-decision against the Astros on June 6 and has posted a 5.32 ERA in seven career appearances (three starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners DH Nelson Cruz, who is 12-for-36 with four homers versus Keuchel, went deep just four times last month after hitting 11 homers in June.
2. Houston OF George Springer (shoulder) departed Tuesday's game in the second inning and told reporters afterward that the plan is to see how it feels Wednesday before making a decision on his availability.
3. Seattle acquired CF Cameron Maybin from Miami for INF Bryson Brigman and international bonus pool money while placing LHP Roenis Elias (triceps) on the 10-day disabled list.