Sep 5, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Cameron Maybin (3) hits a two-run-homer against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Safeco Field. Photo Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
SEATTLE — Newly acquired Justin Verlander lived up to expectations, but fellow newcomer Cameron Maybin provided the game-winner for the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
Maybin, claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels last week, launched a two-run homer in the seventh inning to lift Houston past the Seattle Mariners 3-1, the Astros’ sixth consecutive victory.
Verlander (11-8), acquired in a trade with Detroit at the Aug. 31 deadline, allowed one run on six hits in six innings in his eagerly anticipated Astros’ debut. The six-time All-Star and 2011 Cy Young Award winner struck out seven and walked one in a 103-pitch outing.
The Astros, who were unable to solve wildly effective starter Ariel Miranda through six hitless innings, broke through against the Mariners bullpen in the seventh.
Brian McCann drew a one-out walk off James Pazos, who came on to open the inning. Emilio Pagan replaced Pazos (4-5), and Maybin ripped a 3-2 pitch to left for his eighth homer to snap a 1-1 tie.
Verlander remained in the game after being struck by Robinson Cano’s line drive infield single to open the sixth. Nelson Cruz followed with a single to right. Kyle Seager bounced into a double play, sending Cano to third, but Verlander struck out Mitch Haniger with a 99 mph fastball to end the threat.
Astros reliever Joe Musgrove pitched two scoreless innings, and Ken Giles struck out the side in the ninth for his 29th save in 32 opportunities.
Carlos Correa’s one-out single in the eighth was the Astros’ only hit other than the Maybin homer.
Miranda exited after six innings with a no-hitter intact, but he walked six, leaving after 112 pitches with the game tied 1-1.
It was the second consecutive loss for the Mariners, who entered the day 2 1/2 games out of the second AL wild-card spot.
Kyle Seager accounted for the first run off Verlander, opening the fourth inning with his 21st home run as he sent a 3-2 pitch over the wall in right to make it 1-1. It was the third career homer off Verlander for Seager, who entered hitting .368 against him.
Miranda retired the first six hitters before losing command in the third, walking the bases loaded with one out.
Alex Bregman’s sacrifice fly into the right field corner scored Carlos Beltran to make it 1-0. Miranda avoided further damage by retiring Jose Altuve on a groundout to third.
NOTES: Mariners LHP Ariel Miranda has received a no-decision in eight of his past 11 starts. … Astros C Evan Gattis, placed on the 10-day DL on Thursday due to right wrist soreness, was sent on a rehab assignment to Class A Quad Cities… OF Jacob Hannemann, claimed off waivers Monday from the Cubs, was added to the Mariners’ major league roster and joined the club Tuesday. … Seattle called up INF Daniel Vogelbach from Triple-A Tacoma and released RHP Evan Scribner.
