Astros 9, Mariners 8: Astros outslug Mariners to complete sweep

The Houston Astros entered Wednesday's game against the Seattle Mariners as winners of eight straight against A.L. West. The Astros looking for their third straight series sweep against A.L. West teams. Houston outlasted the Seattle comeback to win 9-8 at Minute Maid to add more win and sweep against the A.L. West.

The Astros looked in control early as the team jumped out to a 5-0 lead against Mariners starter Wade LeBlanc.

Luis Valbuena and Jose Altuve reached with one out in the first. Carlos Correa flipped a ball down the line that bounced into the stands for a ground-rule double -- scoring Valbuena. Carlos Gomez smacked a ball to the base of the Crawford Boxes, scoring two more runs.

Evan Gattis opened the bottom of the second with a laser home run into the Crawford Boxes. Gomez picked up his second extra-base hit of the game in the third with a long fly ball off the short wall on Tal's Hill -- allowing Correa to score.

Mike Fiers has been cruising through his first three innings of work when the wheels fell off in the fourth inning. Home runs from Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager, and Dae-Ho Lee in a span of four batters put Seattle back in the hunt -- down 5-4.

The Astros padded their lead in the sixth inning with singles from Gomez and A.J. Reed. Gomez scored from third as Kyle Seager attempted to throw home after fielding a Gattis grounder. The throw was wide and Gomez scored easily. George Springer singled home Reed for the second run of the inning. Houston led 7-4.

Seth Smith touched up Michael Feliz for a three-run home run in the seventh to tie the game. But Luis Valbuena answered back in the eighth with a towering two-run blast, putting the Astros up 9-7.

The Astros would need every run as Luke Gregerson came into the game to close. Gregerson retired Ketel Marte at the start of the ninth. He walked Leonys Martin and Seth Smith on four pitches each. Cano doubled home a run and Nelson Cruz struck out. Gregerson intentionally walked Seager and struck Lee to end the game. Nothing is ever easy for Gregerson as the closer in 2016.

Gomez was 3-for-4 in the game with three RBIs. Jason Castro was 2-for-4 with two doubles.