HOUSTON - The Astros extended their losing streak Monday night with a 11-1 drubbing at home against the New York Mets.
Rookie starter Hunter Brown gave up six earned runs, including two homers, 5 2/3 innings. Brown also struck out seven. Shawn Dubin, another rookie making his big league debut, gave up five earned runs in three innings, also striking out four.
The Mets scored five of their runs in the third inning and added another five-run ninth inning for good measure. All the Astros could muster up was a solo home run by rookie Yainer Diaz, who was the designated hitter. Houston recorded five hits compared to the Mets' 14, and two errors compared to New York's none.
Houston's losing streak extends to five games, after being swept at home by the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend. The Astros lost an extra-innings game at Minute Maid Park to the Washington Nationals last Thursday.
They enter Tuesday's action in third place in the AL West standings, 6.5 games behind the Texas Rangers and 1.5 games behind the Los Angeles Angels. In the AL Wild Card standings, the Astros are a half-game behind the New York Yankees for the final spot.
Houston's ace Framber Valdez takes the mound Tuesday against former ace Justin Verlander.
