Gattis boggles own mind with 11th triple

SEATTLE -- Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis has 11 triples. That's something he's still trying to wrap his mind around.

"Weird," he said. "For me, that's what it's been like, weird."

Gattis tripled in the seventh inning of Wednesday's 7-6 win night at Safeco Field, motoring around to third base when Mariners right fielder Brad Miller slipped. He's the first player since Pittsburgh's Dale Long in 1955 to have as many as 11 triples and no stolen bases.

"Made people fall down or whatever," Gattis said with a shrug. "Think there's got to be a lot of luck going into this, but whatever. I'll take it. We scored the run."

Jonathan Villar pinch-ran for Gattis and scored the go-ahead run on a bloop single by Colby Rasmus, giving the win. Gattis is tied for the eighth-most triples in a season in club history on a list full of guys who could run, such as like Joe Morgan, Craig Reynolds, Steve Finley and Michael Bourn. The club record for triples is 14 by Roger Metzger in 1973.

The Astros like Gattis more for his team-leading 87 RBIs than his wheels. That makes this weekend's Interleague series in Arizona a tricky one for the Astros. Because they're in a National League park, there won't be a DH, which means Gattis might not be in manager A.J. Hinch's lineup.

"I don't know," Gattis said. "We'll see. Also knowing that he can pop me in in a certain situation is also good, that's what he told me. So you know, whatever the manager wants to do I'm OK with, but I'm prepared to play left field."

Gattis let Hinch know he's mentally and physically ready to play in the outfield at Chase Field, which is big and fast.

"Ground balls have always given me the worst trouble," he said. "Just told him I'm prepared if that's what they want to do. I don't think I'll play the first game. I'm not sure. Other than that, I'm just ready to either pinch-hit or play left field."