SEATTLE -- The Astros enjoyed their best night at the plate this season when it came to hitting in the clutch. Entering the game ranked last in the Majors in batting average with runners in scoring position (.185), the Astros went 5-for-10 in a 7-4 win over the Mariners on Wednesday night at Safeco Field.
All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve set the tone by going 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs at the top of the lineup, but bases-loaded hits by Colby Rasmus in the fifth inning and designated hitter Evan Gattis in the seventh provided the offensive support.

"That's a good night," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "We needed it."
The Astros strung four consecutive hits together in the third inning, including an RBI single by Carlos Correa that put them ahead, 2-1. Rasmus' bases-loaded single in the fifth made it 3-1, and Gattis followed with a sac fly. In the seventh, Gattis hit a rocket off the wall in center with the bases loaded for a double to score a pair and push the lead to 7-3.

"We're not going to win with one hitter," Hinch said. "We're going to need contributions throughout and saw that tonight. Gattis swung the bat very well, [George] Springer got on a couple of times, Rasmus came through with the big hit. We need a team offense, but Altuve has swung the bat well for his whole career, so this is not surprising to anybody. I love the adjustments he's making."

Altuve, who raised his average to .330, has reached base in 19 consecutive games. His leadoff homer was his third of the season and the seventh of his career. Meanwhile, Springer is hitting .323 during his seven-game hitting streak, and Gattis is 5-for-13 in his last three games with four RBIs.