A nine-run fourth inning helped power the Seattle Mariners to a 10-1 win over the Houston Astros on Friday night.
Luis Castillo, Seattle's starter, threw seven strong innings and the offense had one big inning to seal the Astros' fate.
Astros rookie starter Hunter Brown struck out eight in three innings but surrendered five runs on eight hits. Brown had allowed three runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Astros manager Dusty Baker said Brown did not have command of his breaking ball or fastball, with the former locating too low and the latter locating too high.
"That was a tough inning," Baker said of the fourth. "I don't think I've seen a nine-run inning in a long time."
All-Star Framber Valdez (7-6, 2.49 ERA) will start Saturday for the first time since June 27 at St. Louis. Valdez missed his last scheduled start with right ankle soreness. Right-hander Bryan Woo (1-1, 4.08) starts for Seattle.
