SEATTLE — Dallas Keuchel returning to form bodes well for the Houston Astros regaining their early season dominance.
Alex Bregman had a tiebreaking two-run double in Houston’s four-run seventh inning and Keuchel pitched effectively into the eighth to lead the Astros to their fifth straight win, 6-2 over the Seattle Mariners on Monday.
Keuchel (12-3) allowed two runs and seven hits in 7 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked two in his longest outing since May 5. The left-hander started the season 9-0, but was 2-3 with a 5.35 ERA in his seven previous starts since coming off the disabled list on July 28.
“I thought he was really good,” said Astros manager A.J. Hinch. “His ability on the ground was incredible. And even a couple of the hits early that he gave up the run on, the first run on, were ground balls. That’s vintage Dallas. When he’s good, he’s throwing strikes, he’s down in the zone, he challenges them with balls having to be put in play on the ground.”