Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros Box Score on Jul 19, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Jul 19, 2017

HOUSTON -- James Paxton continued his exceptional pitching this month and Ben Gamel provided support with a two-run home run as the Seattle Mariners won the rubber match of their three-game series with the Houston Astros 4-1 on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park.

Paxton (9-3) extended his winning streak to four consecutive starts with another dominating performance against the Astros (63-32). He allowed one run on six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over seven innings, improving to 2-0 with an 0.45 ERA in three starts against Houston this season. Paxton has 20 strikeouts against just four walks against the Astros in 2017.

The Mariners (48-48) didn't muster much of an attack against Astros right-hander Charlie Morton (7-4), but they capitalized on opportunities.

Morton set down the first nine batters he faced, but Gamel followed a leadoff single by Seattle shortstop Jean Segura in the fourth inning with his fifth home run, a line drive to right field that gave the Mariners a 2-1 lead.

Morton loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth inning but escaped allowing just one run on a Robinson Cano fielder's choice groundout that scored Guillermo Heredia. Seattle catcher Mike Zunino chased Morton with a run-scoring double with two outs in the seventh, knocking in Danny Valencia.

Morton allowed four runs on six hits with five strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. The Astros' lone tally came in the third inning when Alex Bregman opened the frame with a leadoff single, advanced to second base on a Jake Marisnick bunt, and added a steal of third before scoring on a sacrifice fly by George Springer.

Edwin Diaz notched his 18th save for the Mariners, who have won seven of nine games.

NOTES: Astros SS Carlos Correa underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb on Wednesday. Correa, who sustained the injury in the fourth inning on Monday night, is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks. ... Mariners OF Mitch Haniger missed his fourth consecutive game with an injured right index finger. Seattle manager Scott Servais considered playing Haniger in the series finale but opted to give him another day off to deal with lingering discomfort from throwing the baseball. Haniger will be in the lineup on Thursday against the New York Yankees. ... Astros RHP Will Harris is scheduled to play catch on Friday in Baltimore as he works his way back from a bone bruise in his shoulder that landed him on the 10-day disabled list on July 11. Harris could have his stint on the DL pushed beyond 10 days.