*The Astros scored 16 runs in the past two games, 20 in the last three. They scored 21 runs from April 9-16. Mariners manager Scott Servais:
We got shut down. You have to give Houston credit. Their pitching is as advertised. Their guys are throwing the ball really well. They really did - they shut us down in this series.
Jose Altuve was 3x4 two doubles, a walk, and 4RBI - his first 4RBI game since July 4, 2017 against Atlanta, and the 7th of his career.
Max Stassi was 2x3 with a solo home run, a walk, and three runs scored. It was Stassi's 2nd home run of the year, tying his previous career high, set in 2017.
*Hinch:
A couple pitchers avoided major injuries on comebackers, and a triple play I really don't want to talk about.
See, Evan Gattis forgot how many outs there were and didn't jog it out the first base, allowing the Mariners to turn a triple play. Gattis:
It was just a mistake. I knew how many outs there were. It was about grounding into a double play. At the time I wanted to laugh on the inside because of how stupid it was but it was a 0-0 game. I think I got so mad I couldn't think straight.
*Charlie Morton threw 7IP, 3H/0ER, 8K:0BB, needing just 86 pitches to get through seven. It's his third start without allowing an earned run. Seattle was 15x100 against Astros starters this series. Morton:
That can changed quick and I know that. In 2015 I had a really good start my first five starts...went into DC and I gave up nine runs in two-thirds of an inning. My goal is to just go out there and give quality innings and not think about overall how things are going.
*Jean Segura, on Morton:
It's unbelievable. He goes from throwing 91 four years ago and now he's throwing 98. I don't get it. I thought when you get older your velocity goes down.
*It's the seventh straight start in which the pitchers has gone 7+ IP and allowed two or fewer runs.
*Tony Sipp gave up 1H/2ER, 0K:1BB in 0.2IP. His ERA is back to 9.00 and the world spins comfortably on its axis.
*Did you miss Kenneth this series? He apparently came into Seattle with back tightness and the Astros held him out as a precautionary measure. Hinch:
Luckily our starting pitchers have gone deep into games, and I don't have enough innings for all our relievers, so Giles being down a few days hasn't impacted us.
*Myles Straw is turning heads in this installment of The Athletic's Minor League Matters.
*The Red Sox outscored the Angels 27-3 in a three-game sweep in Anaheim.
*Missed this from last week: In The Athletic, Friend of AC Sung Min Kim wrote about Former Astros Great Lucas Harrell and how playing in Korea has been more like a dream than an exile. Pitcher Jae-Kuk Ryu, on Harrell:
He's just unbelievable. There is no guy as weird as him, at all.
