The Sports Xchange
Sep 3, 2017
HOUSTON -- Cameron Maybin and George Springer homered and the Houston Astros rallied from an early three-run deficit to complete an interleague series sweep of the New York Mets with an 8-6 victory on Sunday at Minute Maid Park.
Maybin, making his second start since being picked up on waivers from the Los Angeles Angels last Thursday, struck the biggest blow in the Astros' five-run third inning, belting a three-run homer off Mets right-hander Chris Flexen (3-4) to push Houston (83-53) to a 6-4 lead.
For Maybin, it was his seventh home run of the season and first with the Astros. Springer added his 31st homer leading off the fourth inning to stretch the lead to three runs. The Mets (58-78) scratched across two more runs off Astros starter Mike Fiers, but the Houston bullpen was up to the task of protecting the lead, overcoming some harrowing moments along the way.
Houston All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa made his return after missing six-plus weeks due to a thumb injury. Correa went 1-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.
Astros right-hander Tyler Clippard recorded a called third strike against Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki to leave the bases loaded in the fifth inning. In the sixth, right-hander Will Harris (3-2) struck out Asdrubal Cabrera to close the frame with Jose Reyes stranded at third base.
Houston relievers Luke Gregerson and Chris Devenski stranded two baserunners each in the seventh and eighth, with Devenski leaving Juan Lagares and Norichika Aoki in scoring position. The Mets finished 4-for-17 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 baserunners.
Devenski later worked a scoreless ninth inning and recorded his fourth save. Josh Reddick finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs for the Astros, who earned their ninth series sweep this season.
Aoki finished 3-for-4 with a walk, two runs and two RBIs while Reyes went 2-for-4 and scored twice for the Mets, who closed their 10-game road trip at 3-7. The Mets finished 7-13 against the American League this season.
NOTES: New York Mets 3B Wilmer Flores will be reexamined on Tuesday after the team returns home to determine the severity of the broken nose he suffered on Saturday night. Flores fouled a pitch from Astros RHP Brad Peacock off his face in the fourth inning and immediately left the game. Subsequent X-rays revealed the fracture. The Mets are hopeful that Flores can resume play this season. ... Astros 1B Yuli Gurriel missed his fourth consecutive game with right knee soreness but manager A.J. Hinch believes Gurriel could return when the club opens a three-game series in Seattle on Monday. ... Hinch is exercising caution with OF Jake Marisnick (groin) and DH Carlos Beltran (neck/upper back) as both continue to nurse minor injuries.