Astros at Mariners
The Houston Astros seek their fifth straight win and 24th in 30 games when they visit the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday for the second contest of their four-game set. Houston posted a 4-2 victory in the series opener and has won all four meetings thus far this season.
Robinson Chirinos homered and Yuli Gurriel recorded two RBIs as the Astros made the best of their five-hit performance in Monday's triumph. Josh Reddick registered an RBI triple among two hits as Houston continues to thrive without injured stars Jose Altuve (hamstring), Carlos Correa (rib) and George Springer (hamstring). Mallex Smith and Edwin Encarnacion hit third-inning homers for Seattle's runs as the struggling club succumbed for the third straight game and 15th time in its last 18. The Mariners are 2-6 on their 11-game homestand and have dropped 13 of their last 18 home contests.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Wade Miley (5-3, 3.25 ERA) vs. Mariners TBA
Miley lost to the Chicago Cubs in his last start despite allowing two runs and six hits with a season-high nine strikeouts in seven innings. The 32-year-old won his previous four decisions and has allowed fewer than three runs in six of his last seven turns. Miley did not factor in the decision against Seattle when he gave up three runs and six hits over four innings and is 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA in four career starts versus the club.
Seattle is skipping the struggling Yusei Kikuchi's spot in the rotation but did not announce a starter after Monday's contest. Manager Scott Servais declined to reveal a name prior to the series opener, simply telling reporters "he's someone in our organization." Left-hander Anthony Misiewicz, who is 3-3 with a 3.17 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts) between two levels, could be a possibility as he was slated to be Tuesday's starter for Triple-A Tacoma before the Rainiers switched it to "TBD."
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners 2B Dee Gordon (wrist) and 1B-3B Ryon Healy (back) are expected to begin rehab assignments later in the week.
2. Houston INF Jack Mayfield was hitless in three at-bats on Monday and is 1-for-20 in his first six major-league games.
3. Seattle placed Chasen Bradford (forearm) on the 10-day injured list and recalled fellow RHP Matt Festa from Triple-A Tacoma.