Javier leads Astros over Mariners 2-0, back over .500

<p>HOUSTON &mdash; Cristian Javier combined with two relievers on a two-hitter, and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 2-0 on Tuesday night to get above .500 as they bounced back from a long skid.</p>
<p>Javier (3-0) allowed two hits in seven innings — both by Kyle Seager — struck out six and walked three. He extended his scoreless streak to 17 innings over three starts and lowered his season ERA to 0.87. </p>
<p>Brooks Raley and Ryan Pressly each pitched a perfect inning, with Pressly getting his third save.</p>
<p>Seattle did not move a runner past second.</p>
<p>Houston has won five of six to reach 12-11, a spurt that followed nine losses in 10 games.</p>
<p>Seattle has lost three in a row.</p>
<p>Yordan Álvarez had a sacrifice fly and Kyle Tucker an RBI single in a two-run fourth off Marco Gonzales (1-3), who allowed five hits in six innings with four strikeouts. Gonzales has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last three starts.</p>
<p>TRAINER’S ROOM</p>
<p>Mariners: INF Shed Long, Jr. (right shin stress fracture) was transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL. … Seattle claimed INF Jack Mayfield off waivers from the Angels and optioned him to the alternate training site.</p>
<p>Astros: RHP Pedro Báez (right shoulder soreness) was transferred to the 60-day IL on Monday. “He had a setback where he had some tenderness in his shoulder, and … he’s been on not quite 30 days and doesn’t look like he would be back prior to the 60 (days), and we needed the spot,” manager Dusty Baker said. … LHP Framber Valdéz (left index finger fracture) is ahead of schedule on his rehab, according to pitching coach Brent Strom, but Strom would not give a timetable for when Valdéz might return.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Houston RHP Zack Greinke (2-1, 2.76 ERA) will start against Seattle RHP Justin Dunn (1-0, 3.68) in the third game of the four-game series on Wednesday night.</p>
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