Astros give Presley third straight start in left

SEATTLE -- Alex Presley started in left field in all three games of the series against the Mariners as Astros manager Bo Porter continued to go with the hot hand. Presley was 5-for-8 with two runs scored in the first two games of the series, in addition to making a nice leaping catch at the wall and getting an outfield assist Tuesday.

Presley didn't play in the three games against Oakland prior to coming to Seattle because he was ill. He was originally in the starting lineup Friday before being scratched.

"It had him on the mat for three days," Porter said. "It was good he came back this series and swung the bat well and played good defense and has given our lineup a spark."

Presley, a left-handed hitter claimed off waivers March 27, has shown his versatility by playing five games in left, seven in right and three in center so far this year. He struggled with the bat to start the year, but entered Wednesday on a three-game hitting streak.

"I'm used to not getting everyday at-bats," he said. "It's not easy. It's one of the tougher things to do in baseball. You want to stay in as good a rhythm as you can, and consecutive starts definitely helps."