Cole K’s 15 and the Astros explode for 21 runs to complete the sweep

The Astros explode for 21 runs to complete the sweep as Gerrit Cole strikes out 15 Mariners picking up his 12th straight win, tying an all-time club record.

Cole took the mound on Sunday on his 29th birthday, and although he didn’t need it, the Astros offense provided plenty of run support. Cole went eight innings, fanning 15 and allowing only one run, a solo homer in the 4th.

Already up 4-0 after the 2nd inning, sparked by a two-run homer by Jake Marisnick the Astros put the game out of reach scoring nine runs in the third inning, including six doubles. In his first game back after suffering a concussion, George Springer hit a three-run homer to add to the damage.

Rookie of the Year candidate Yordan Alvarez drove in six runs, going 4-for-6 with three doubles. Marisnick and Myles Straw, who replaced Alex Bregman, both had three hits, in a game where every Astros hitter who went to the plate picked up a hit.

Kyle Tucker struggled last season when he was called up, but this season he seems more comfortable and is trying to make the Astros playoff roster. Sunday he had two doubles and drove in three runs and is currently sporting a .316 average.

Already up 16-1, going into the 7th the Houston put up five more runs, making their run total look more like a football score. With the win, they run their season series record against Seattle to 18-1.

Felix Hernandez, who is (1-6) on the season lasted only two innings giving up 11 runs and raising his ERA to 6.96. The Mariners bullpen pitched six innings and gave up 10 runs. The sole pitcher for the Astros to come out of the pen was Chris Devenski who had a 1-2-3 inning, including two strikeouts.

Next up for the Astros is a four-game series with the Oakland A’s at Minute Maid Park before heading to Kansas City for a short three-game road trip.