HOUSTON — Julio Rodríguez and Mike Ford homered, Bryce Miller threw 6 1/3 shutout innings and the Seattle Mariners prolonged their successful streak to 4 video games with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday night time.

The Mariners took a half-game lead over Toronto within the race for the third, and remaining, AL wild-card spot. Seattle trails Houston by 2 1/2 video games for the second wild-card spot.

Rodríguez continued to swing a sizzling bat, ending with 4 hits, together with a solo house run to left subject within the third. He had 5 hits and drove in 5 RBIs on Thursday and went 12 for 21 within the four-game sequence towards the Royals.

Rodríguez mentioned he couldn’t bear in mind having a stretch like his present sizzling streak.

“It’s been a lot of ups and downs, but to have a stretch like this and to help the team, obviously, it’s huge,” Rodríguez mentioned. “I’m just grateful I’m able to do this for the team, especially at this time that we need it. We need to win games.”

Rodríguez tied a membership document by hitting safely in 9 straight at-bats, however that run was halted on a fielding error by Jeremy Peña within the seventh. Danny Valencia, in June 2017, and Raúl Ibañez, in September 2004, additionally hit safely in 9 consecutive at-bats for the Mariners.

PHOTOS: Julio Rodríguez and Mike Ford homer, Bryce Miller works 6 stable innings as Mariners beat Astros 2-0

“I’ve been watching Major League Baseball for a long, long time, and Julio is going really good,” Seattle supervisor Scott Servais mentioned. “That’s as good as I’ve seen a player. The power, speed, driving the ball. It doesn’t matter what pitch it is. He’s on fire, and we’ve talked about when he gets on fire, he can really carry us. It’s fun to watch right now.”

Ford hit a solo house run to proper within the sixth.

Miller (8-4) scattered two hits and struck out two.

“He had the breaking ball going,” Servais mentioned. “He threw a lot of good two-seam fastballs tonight that really changed how they approached him, and he had a ton of success with it.”

The rookie right-hander retired 10 of the primary 11 batters he confronted and set down eight straight earlier than exiting following an error by José Caballero.

Miller, who had family and friends within the stands, went to varsity at Texas A&M, which is about 90 miles northwest of Houston.

“I haven’t thrown here since college, and obviously, it’s a little different atmosphere than college,” Miller mentioned. “That was a lot of fun. I was glad I was able to go out there and perform well.”

Justin Topa threw 1 2/3 shutout innings, and Andrés Muñoz pitched the ninth for his sixth save.

The Mariners had been 0 for 17 with runners in scoring place and left 10 runners on base.

Houston threatened within the ninth. Jose Altuve led off with a single, however was retired on a fielder’s alternative by Alex Bregman. Yordan Alvarez adopted with an infield single, however Yainer Diaz hit right into a double play to finish it.

J.P. France (9-4) surrendered two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts in six innings. The rookie right-hander has allowed three runs or fewer in 11 of his final 12 begins. His ERA is 2.75.

“He pitched out of trouble a lot, but that’s part of the maturation process is pitching out of trouble,” Houston supervisor Dusty Baker mentioned. “He held them to two runs. He gave us an opportunity to win.”

Diaz had two hits. Altuve went 1 for 4 and has 1,998 hits for his profession.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: OF Kyle Tucker was scratched from Friday’s lineup as a consequence of sickness. “We are hopeful this is a 24-hour thing, and if not, he’s a big guy to lose for any period time,” Baker mentioned. … OF Michael Brantley (proper shoulder surgical procedure) was understanding with the staff Friday at Minute Maid Park and taking a scheduled time off from his rehabilitation task with Triple-A Sugar Land. He will play once more on Saturday and is enjoying each different day as of now, Baker mentioned. Brantley is 2 for 7 in two video games with Sugar Land. “I’m feeling well,” Brantley mentioned. “Recovering well so far, so everything is positive and trending in the right direction.” Brantley, who has but to play with Houston this season, doesn't have a timeline for when he may return to the Astros.

UP NEXT

Houston RHP Framber Valdez (9-8, 3.31 ERA) begins Saturday reverse Seattle RHP Logan Gilbert (10-5, 3.80 ERA) within the second recreation of the three-game sequence.

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