Astros 10, Mariners 1: Nothing "average" about Keuchel and Astros bats

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon called Dallas Keuchel stuff "average" after the Astros' lefty pitched a four-hit shutout against Seattle in late May. Keuchel got his first crack against the Mariners since McClendon's remarks on Saturday, and Kuechel didn't disappoint. The bearded one allowed just one run on seven hits over eight innings, striking out eight and walking one. Keuchel's final season split against the Mariners - 2-1 record, 21 IP, 6 ER, 17 K, 4 BB, and 2.57 ERA. How 'bout them apples, McClendon?

As for the Houston's offense, the Astros brought their boomsticks to the game. Chris Carter got the party started in the first with a monstrous blast two-run home run. Dexter Fowler would follows with a double, and Alex Presley would add a home run of his own to put the Astros up 4-0 in the first.

Gregorio Petit doubled in the second and scored on Jose Altuve's 217 hit of the season. The Astros second baseman set a new record for hits in a season by a player born in Venezuela - passing White Sox and Tigers great Magglio Ordonez.

Altuve would later leave the game after collecting his 218 hit this season to preserve his lead for the batting title - Altuve leads Tigers DH Victor Martinez by ten points.

The Mariners lone run would come in the third. Robinson Cano singled home Austin Jackson, who had walked and moved to second on ground out.

Matt Dominguez and Carlos Corporan continued the home run party with back-to-back jacks to start the fourth. The Astros now lead 7-1. Chris Young was removed from the game before he recorded in out in the fourth.

Jake Marisnick dropped the bass in the seventh with a three-run home run, scoring Fowler and Presley. "There aren't no party like a Astros home run party," Marisnick was heard saying as he rounded third. Maybe I'm just making that up, who knows.

Michael Foltynewicz closed out the Astros 10-1 victory. With the loss the M's stay one game behind both the Royals and Athletics in the loss column.

Hisashi Iwakuma and Collin McHugh square off in the Astors final home game this season at 1:05 PM CT.