Mariners 1, Astros 0: Houston falls short in pitchers' duel

There weren't many chances on Saturday for either team in the Mariners' 1-0 win over the Astros at SafeCo Field. When there were chances, starting pitchers Lance McCulllers and Hisashi Iwakuma shut them down -- in total both staffs combined to collect 23 strikeouts in the game.

The Astros best chance for a comeback was spoiled in the ninth as Marwin Gonzalez opened the frame with a double to right against Mariners closer Steven Cishek. Jose Altuve followed with a failed bunt but Altuve was able to take second as Gonzalez was caught in a run down. Altuve stole third but was strained as Carlos Correa and Luis Valbuena struck out to end the game.

Both teams got a double in the first inning and couldn't put a run across. McCullers struck out Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager to end the Mariners threat.

Leonys Martin hit his second extra-base hit of the game in the sixth inning with a leadoff triple. Cano singled in the game's only run with a grounder through the hole to left field.

Correa hit a ball off the wall in left field with one out in the seventh inning bu Valbuena and Colby Rasmus couldn't get him home. A.J. Reed (single) and Jake Marisnick (stolen base, pinch runner) to put a runner in scoring position but again Houston couldn't find the one run.

The Astros look to Collin McHugh for the series victory on Sunday against Mike Montgomery at 3:10 p.m. CT.