MLB wrap: Astros win 9th straight; German Marquez's shutout snaps Rockies' 8-game skid

Arthur Weinstein

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MLB wrap: Astros win 9th straight; German Marquez's shutout snaps Rockies' 8-game skid image

The Astros faced a stiff challenge heading into a three-game series in Seattle this weekend against the first-place Mariners.

But Gerrit Cole struck out 11 and gave up only two runs in six innings Sunday to lead the Astros to a 3-2 win, as they completed a three-game sweep of Seattle. Houston (11-5) has now won nine straight and trails the Mariners (13-5) by only one game in the AL West.

Aledmys Diaz provided the winning run in the seventh with a line-drive home run down the left-field line.

In San Francisco, Rockies right-hander German Marquez retired the first 15 Giants he faced, and had a no-hitter through 7 1/3 innings before Evan Longoria ended the bid with a seeing-eye single. Marquez shut down the Giants the rest of the way to complete a one-hit shutout in the 4-0 win as the Rockies (4-12) snapped an eight-game losing streak.

Marquez (2-1) struck out eight batters and threw 105 pitches in the sterling effort. It's the first complete game of his career, and the first in the majors this season. Nolan Arenado hit his first home run of the season and drove in three runs to key the attack.

Studs of the Night

Marcell Ozuna hit two home runs and had four RBIs in the Cardinals' 9-5 win over the Reds.

David Price struck out seven in seven scoreless innings as the Red Sox beat the Orioles 4-0.

Pirates first baseman Josh Bell had a pair of RBI doubles and scored two runs, accounting for all the Bucs' runs in a 4-3 win over the Nationals.

Ross Stripling gave up only four hits and one run in eight innings in the Dodgers' 7-1 victory over the Brewers.

Duds of the Night

Indians ace Corey Kluber did not have it against the Twins on Sunday, yielding six earned runs on six hits and five walks in 2 2/3 innings.

Marlins hitters struck out 18 times, stranded 14 runners and managed only five hits in 14 innings in a 3-1 loss to the Phillies.

Highlights

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus had a huge day with a homer, three hits and a pair of RBIs and runs scored, including this heads-up steal of home.

Yasiel Puig crushes his first home run as a member of the Reds.

Nolan Arenado shows once again why he's a six-time Gold Glove winner.

What's Next?

Mets (9-5) at Phillies (9-5) 7:05 p.m. ET — The surprising young Mets are out to a great start, with young slugger Pete Alonso and the offense leading the way. The Phillies staff has struggled, but Bryce Harper (four home runs) and the Phillies big bats have picked up the slack. Projected Mets starter Noah Syndergaard (4.74 ERA in three starts) and Philadelphia's Aaron Nola (6.46 ERA in three starts) haven't been sharp so far.

Arthur Weinstein