Cameron Maybin’s ninth-inning homer gives Astros sweep over Mariners

SEATTLE – Newly acquired Cameron Maybin hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to lift Houston past the Seattle Mariners 5-3 on Wednesday night, as the Astros completed a three-game sweep to extend their winning streak to seven.

Carlos Beltran opened the ninth with a double down the left-field line off closer Edwin Diaz (3-6), who relieved to start the inning. Jake Marisnick ran for Beltran and advanced to third on Max Stassi’s groundout to short.

Maybin, claimed off waivers last week from the Los Angeles Angels, then lofted a 1-0 pitch into the right-field corner for his ninth home run and second winner in as many nights. Maybin also hit a two-run homer Tuesday that gave the Astros a 3-1 victory.

Chris Devenski (8-3) pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for the win.

Seattle erased a 2-1 deficit with two runs in the sixth off Lance McCullers Jr., activated off the disabled list earlier in the day for his first start since July 30.

Jean Segura tripled to open the sixth and came home on Robinson Cano’s one-out RBI single. Nelson Cruz singled, chasing McCullers. Mitch Haniger’s RBI single off Will Harris made it 3-2.

Houston tied it in the seventh on a double by Marwin Gonzalez and RBI single by George Springer.

McCullers, an All-Star for the first time this season, did not allow a hit until Kyle Seager opened the fifth with his 22nd homer, his third in three games. McCullers allowed three runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings, striking out four and walking one in a 76-pitch outing.

Houston took a 2-0 lead in the fourth when Josh Reddick singled with one out, Yuri Gurriel walked and Gonzalez followed with a two-run double off the base of the wall in right-center.

Mariners move

Infielder Shawn O’Malley was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma. O’Malley hit .229 in 89 games with Seattle in 2016, but spent most of 2017 on the disabled list. He hit .205 in 20 games at Tacoma.

Astros moves

McCullers was activated off the 10-day DL (back discomfort) to start. … Right-hander James Hoyt was recalled from Triple-A Fresno for his third stint this season with the Astros. Hoyt was 1-0 with a 4.98 ERA in 38 relief appearances this season with Houston.