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Collin McHugh pitched seven strong innings to lead the Astros past the Mariners 5-1 on Mother's Day at Minute Maid Park. Jose Altuve paced the offense, scoring twice and stealing three bases. The victory gave the Astros a split of their four game home series with Seattle.
The Astros opened the scoring in the bottom of the second. Seattle starter Hiwashi Iwakuma retired the first two batters, but Luis Valbuena rapped the first Astros hit of the game, a line double to center. Tyler White followed with an RBI double down the line in left for a 1-0 lead.
They added to the lead in the bottom of the third. Jose Altuve led off with an infield single, beating out a slow grounder to third. He proceeded to steal second and third, and came home on a two-strike bunt single by Colby Rasmus. Marwin Gonzalez followed with an RBI single to left to increase the lead to 3-0.
The Mariners got a run back in the top of the 4th on yet another home run against the Astros for Robinson Cano. Collin McHugh bore down after the Cano homer, allowing only a hit and a walk over the rest of the outing.
McHugh turned in seven stellar innings, limiting the Mariners to that lone run and striking out five. He earned his third consecutive victory, and seems to be turning things around after struggling to start the year.
The Astros added insurance runs in the seventh inning. Jose Altuve led off with a line single to center, and immediately stole second on the first pitch to George Springer. The throw sailed into center, and Altuve advanced to third with no outs. George Springer hit a hard grounder that went through shorstop Ketel Marte into left field to score Altuve. Springer promptly stole second, and Carlos Correa drove him home for a 5-1 lead.
The three stolen bases in the game tied a career high for Altuve, and his 13 stolen bases leads the majors. On the day he was 2-3 with an intentional walk, two runs scored and the three stolen bases.
The victory split the four game series with Seattle, and the Astros have now won 4 of their last 6 games. They open a three game home series with the Cleveland Indians starting Monday.