Correa, Springer lead Astros past Mariners 7-3

SEATTLE (AP) It took five pitches for the Houston Astros to continue the roll they were on before the All-Star break.

George Springer hit a leadoff home run, Carlos Correa had a two-out, two-run double then scored from second base on a wild pitch during Houston's five-run fifth inning, and the Astros opened the second half with a 7-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

The four days off around the All-Star Game didn't slow the surging Astros. Houston won for the sixth time in eight games and its fifth straight win over the Mariners.

''We're not depending on one or two players,'' All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve said. ''Everybody here is doing something for the team and that is why we're doing so good.''

Springer got the Astros started, but it was Correa who flashed all of his talents. His hitting skill in the fifth inning made Seattle pay for intentionally walking Altuve as Correa missed a home run by just a few feet with a double off the wall. Moments later, Correa flashed his speed by scoring from second base when James Paxton's third wild pitch of the inning ricocheted off catcher Chris Iannetta and over to the third base dugout.

And Correa flashed his glove in the seventh inning reaching back across his body to snag Robinson Cano's hot shot and throw him out at first.

''It started moving late so I was going one way, the ball was going the other,'' Correa said. ''I put out my glove and I caught it. I think it was a pretty good play.''

While Correa and Springer had the big hits, the Astros' rally in the fifth started with consecutive doubles by Evan Gattis and Jake Marisnick. Springer scored on the second of Paxton's wild pitches and Correa missed a three-run homer by just a few feet doubling off the wall in left-center field.

''We showed our athleticism pretty well that inning with Springer scoring on the wild pitch and Correa scoring from second,'' Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. ''It was a really big inning for us. We didn't maximize our opportunities early but it was nice to get a big inning.''

The Astros' big inning offset a shaky performance from starter Doug Fister, who struggled to get through five innings. Fister (9-6) retired 12 of the first 14 batters, but gave back three runs after being staked to a 6-0 lead, two scoring on Shawn O'Malley's double in the fifth. After walking Seth Smith, Fister broke Cano's bat on a weak grounder back to the mound and escaped the inning.

''We put three up there and had a couple guys on for (Cano's) at-bat. Couple slow curveballs and they got him out front there,'' Seattle manager Scott Servais said. ''That's what Fister does. He keeps you off balance. His stuff isn't going to overpower you, but he's smart and knows how to pitch and changes speeds well.''

Houston's bullpen was nearly perfect the rest of the way throwing four shutout innings.

LONG BALL

Springer's leadoff homer was his 20th home run of the season and Marwin Gonzalez added a solo shot in the seventh inning. Springer's home run was his seventh career long ball in 18 games at Safeco Field, and the 20 homers matched the career-high he set in 2014.

TRAINER'S ROOM:

Astros: OF Colby Rasmus wasn't in the starting lineup on Friday, but Hinch said Rasmus is fully healthy after missing the final four games before the All-Star break due to an ear infection.

Mariners: RHP Felix Hernandez made his second rehab start in the minors. Pitching for Triple-A Tacoma, Hernandez threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up one run and five hits. He is slated to start for Seattle on July 20 against the White Sox.

UP NEXT

Astros: Lance McCullers (4-3) looks to rebound after his shortest outing of the season in his last start. McCullers lasted just four innings last week against Oakland.

Mariners: Hisashi Iwakuma (9-6) goes for his 10th win. Iwakuma has gone 8-2 over his past 10 starts.