Keuchel (16-6) leads the American League in wins after allowing one
run on six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over seven
innings to maintain his place among the American League Cy Young
Award candidates.
He earned his 13th consecutive home win, a streak that dates to last
season and matches the franchise mark set by right-hander Danny
Darwin in 1990.
"He doesn't have all the power in his stuff but he knows how to
pitch," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said of Keuchel. "He uses
his arsenal very well. He's in and out, up and down, changes his
speed. He's pretty good."
Astros third baseman Jed Lowrie, catcher Hank Conger and rookie
shortstop Carlos Correa all homered off Mariners left-hander Vidal
Nuno (0-2) to help Houston clinch the season series over the
Mariners.
The Astros (73-59) improved to 7-1 at home against Seattle this
season. The Mariners (61-71), meanwhile, dropped an eighth
consecutive road series opener against an AL opponent.
Keuchel surrendered his first home run at Minute Maid Park this
season with two outs in the second inning when Mariners first
baseman Mark Trumbo crushed an opposite-field shot to the upper deck
in right.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Astros responded, but not until
after Keuchel escaped a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the top of the
frame by inducing a double play from left fielder Franklin Gutierrez
before striking out Trumbo to strand a pair of base runners in
scoring position.
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"It was very big," Keuchel said of his escape act in a 1-1 game. "It
wasn't an ideal situation, but (I was) thankful enough to kind of
make some pitches and do some weak contact."
Correa, Lowrie and designated hitter Evan Gattis recorded two-RBI
games for the Astros.
Nuno surrendered five runs on seven hits and two walks in six
innings.
"Giving up those home runs killed it a little bit," Nuno said. "I
was leaving the ball up, command was off a little bit. But
otherwise, the changeup and off-speed were all working."
(Compiled by John O'Brien)
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