The Houston Astros are running a “Turn Back the Clock” promotion on Friday, with the team expected to wear its old-school uniforms while encouraging fans to don their favorite outfits from the 1990s.
The Astros would love nothing more than to turn back the clock to their winning ways as the slumping club opens a three-game series against the visiting Seattle Mariners.
Houston sustained its first home series loss of the season and its ninth setback in 11 outings on Thursday afternoon with a 10-0 shellacking by Pittsburgh. The Astros were outscored by a 24-2 margin over the last two contests of the three-game series and saw their lead atop the American League West dip to 4 1/2 games.
“We didn’t play well, and you don’t play well, you get beat,” Houston manager AJ Hinch said. “… We’re doing a lot of things that in the box scores are not considered errors, but we’re not playing clean enough to win. You don’t play clean enough to win, you go home losing.”
Yuli Gurriel has been filling the box score, going 7-for-15 with two homers, three RBIs and three runs scored during his four-game hitting streak. The 35-year-old drove in five runs as Houston won three of four against Seattle from June 3-6.
Although the Mariners rest in the cellar of the division, they sustained just their second loss in eight contests following Thursday’s 4-2 setback to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Mallex Smith went 11-for-31 with 11 runs during a seven-game hitting streak before going 0-for-4 in the finale. The 26-year-old is 3-for-7 in his career versus Friday starter Wade Miley (6-4, 3.51 ERA).
J.P. Crawford is 10-for-18 with a homer, two triples, two doubles, four runs and nine RBIs over his last four games.
Miley allowed four runs on two hits in five innings of a no-decision against the New York Yankees on Saturday.
The 32-year-old Miley received the same fate in his last outing versus Seattle on June 4, as he permitted three runs on as many hits in five innings.
Miley sports a 2-1 mark with a 3.90 ERA in five career starts against the Mariners, with Dee Gordon (5-for-22, seven strikeouts) struggling mightily versus the hurler.
Whether Miley faces Kyle Seager is uncertain as the latter sat out for the second straight day on Thursday with a right hand injury.
“I think he’s going to be OK,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “For me, no reason to rush him back day game after a night game. … We’ll see how he is over in Houston. … He’s on some anti-inflammatory stuff. I don’t think it will be a big issue.”
The Mariners plan to use a bullpen game on Friday, with left-hander Tommy Milone (1-2, 3.35) expected to follow a yet-to-be-named opener.
Milone absorbed the loss on Saturday after yielding three runs on four hits in five innings of an 8-4 defeat versus Baltimore.
The 32-year-old pitched well in his previous encounter with Houston on June 6, allowing one solo homer among three hits in 5 1/3 innings of a no-decision. Milone owns a 1-2 record with a 5.33 ERA in 10 appearances (seven starts) against the Astros.
Servais told reporters that he has been pleased with what he’s seen from his relievers.
“I thought our bullpen was outstanding in this series (against Milwaukee). Even the guys that came in to hold them right there to give us a chance late. Some positive things to take out of it there,” Servais said.
