Mariners squeeze by Astros, jump to first place in A.L. West
SEATTLE - Taijuan Walker tied his career-high with 11 strikeouts over seven innings, Leonys Martin and Kyle Seager hit solo homers and the Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 3-2 on Monday night for their eighth win in 11 games.
Walker was overpowering in his fourth start of the season. The 23-year-old went seven innings and struck out the final six batters he faced, setting down the Astros in order in the sixth and seventh innings. He got Erik Kratz looking to end the seventh on a 97 mph fastball.
It was the third time in his young career Walker (2-0) has struck out 11.
Martin hit his fourth homer of the season just inside the right field foul pole leading off the third off Houston starter Doug Fister (1-3), and Seager followed an inning later with a solo shot to deep right-center field. It was Seager's 100th career home run.