Gurriel, Astros jump to big lead, cruise past Mariners 11-4

SEATTLE (AP) — Yuli Gurriel singled, doubled and homered to drive in three runs and lead the Houston Astros over the Seattle Mariners 11-4 on Wednesday.

It was the 13th time this season Gurriel has had at least three hits. Carlos Correa also had three hits and Kyle Tucker homered for the Astros, who have won seven of their last nine games.

“You love to see these guys hitting,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “It’s a great feeling when you’re scoring, and guys get five at bats and do something with them.”

Starter Jake Odorizzi (4-5) gave up three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He didn’t give up a hit until the fourth inning, and held Seattle scoreless through five before allowing a couple of home runs.

Kyle Seager got the Mariners on the board in the sixth inning with a solo homer, his third straight game with a home run. Two batters later, Abraham Toro hit a two-run shot, giving him homers in four straight games, including his first two with Seattle.

“My luck this year is when I make a mistake in a spot like that it’s been a homer,” Odorizzi said.

Toro was traded from the Astros to the Mariners before Tuesday’s game and then became the first player ever to homer for and against the same team in consecutive games.

Houston led 8-0 after the top of the sixth, the third time the Astros opened a big lead in the three-game series. After blowing a seven-run lead on Monday and having to hold off a ninth-inning rally on Tuesday, Houston made sure there was little doubt about the outcome.

“We could have had a bad series after that first loss,” Odorizzi said. “For us to flush that and make a statement, it’s important. And good to see out of our guys that there wasn’t any panic out of anybody.”

Yusei Kikuchi (6-6) allowed...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Gurriel-Astros-jump-to-big-lead-cruise-past-16347504.php