In role reversal, improving Astros host first-place Mariners

One sign of fortune finally favoring the Houston Astros this season came in the top of the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners on Friday. Clinging to a two-run lead with two runners in scoring position, Houston reliever Ryan Pressly induced a fly ball to medium right field off the bat of Mitch Haniger. One madcap series of throws between third base and home plate later, the Astros completed an inning-ending double play that helped seal their 5-3 win in the opener of a three-game series that will continue on Saturday night in Houston. "That's not the way we practice the picks and rundowns in spring training," Astros manager Joe Espada said of the 9-2-4-1-6-2 rundown.