May 10: Mariners and Ranger Win On The Road, Astros Dominate (Again), Angels and Athletics Head Into Rubber Match Today

The Angels keep hope alive that they can win their first series in May after they evened up against the A's in Oakland. The A's, ending their run of miracle finishes, tumble back into fourth place. The Astros, playing in their own division, put the lumber to the Braves. The Mariners, as expected, take the first game on the road against the Phillies. The Rangers finally scored runs against a hapless Padres club - too bad they couldn't spread those out over a few games. Notes, links and boxes if you care to Keep Reading.

Astros (22-11)

Did you see the Astros last night? Most Houstonians didn't - they were watching the Rockets lose a heartbreaker in San Antonio. The Astros scored five on Braves starter Bartolo Colon in the first, including home runs by Carlos Correa and Carlos Beltran. They never looked back, winning 8-3. It's the best start for the Astros since 1973 - a season they ended with an 82-80 record and in fourth place. Something tells me that's not happening in 2017.

The box.

The Houston Chronicle offers up 10 things to know about Marwin Gonzalez.

Angels (17-18)

Still hanging in there in second place, the Angels look to win their first series in May today in the rubber match against the A's. Last night's 7-3 victory was just the third this month for the Halos. Albert Pujols hit his 596th home run, one of a handful of blasts off Jharel Cotton. Alex Meyer, in his third start filling in for the injured Tyler Skaggs, pitched 5 1/3, striking out 7 and giving up 3 earned runs.

The box.

Mike Trout continues to not play, but the Angels are hoping to avoid putting him on the DL.

Mariners (16-17)

Holy Taylor Motter! After a game that saw the Mariners fall behind, get ahead and then fall behind again, Motter put them up for good with a double in the 9th. Rookie Ben Gamel had a highlight reel kind of night - in fact, here's a highlight right here. Hey Seattle, it's getting very, very interesting.

The box. 

If it's the Mariners, there must be another major injury. More praise for Gamel, who deserves it.

Athletics (15-18)

Well, you can't win every game in your last at-bat. The A's, despite all the cool walk-off victories this week (three in a row), remain three games below .500 and in fourth place. The Either/Or Struggle of Jharel Cotton continued last night. This time, he gave up 7 earned runs in 5 innings - while also striking out 7. Yonder Alonzo continues to mash, hitting his 10th and 11th home runs of the year and basically accounting for all the A's offense.

The box.

The A's designated Jaff Decker, who was struggling mightily at the plate, for assignment and recalled Mark Canha. That's a reverse of what happened in April, with Canha sent to the minors and Decker called up. I will miss Decker's beard and enthusiasm.

Rangers (14-20)

Now that's what was expected. Facing a struggling Padres squad in four games this week, the Rangers took the second one, 11-0. A.J Griffin pitched a complete game shut out, giving the much-maligned bullpen a rest. Every single Rangers hitter got on base (including Griffin, who walked). No team needed a rout more than the Texas Rangers.

The box.

This Texas Monthly columnist already is calling it a lost season for the Rangers. 

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