TIM BOOTH, AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE (AP) — James Paxton shut down Houston for the second time in a week, pitching seven innings of four-hit ball and leading the Seattle Mariners to a 6-0 win over the Astros in their home opener Monday.

The Mariners rebounded nicely from Sunday’s ugly ninth-inning meltdown against the Angels when they gave up seven runs and lost 10-9. Paxton (1-0) was a big reason why, keeping Houston’s offense silent long enough for Seattle’s bats to wake up and finally convert with runners in scoring position. Paxton struck out eight and walked two while pitching in Seattle’s home opener for the second time in his career.

This is a 2017 photo of James Paxton of the Seattle Mariners baseball
team. This image reflects the Seattle Mariners’ active roster as of
Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, when this image was taken in Peoria, Ariz.
(AP Photo/Matt York)

Nelson Cruz finally broke through with a two-run single in the fifth inning to give Seattle the lead and Mitch Haniger followed an inning later with a two-out RBI single. Seattle was 8 for 57 through the first seven games and 1 of 8 on Monday with runners in scoring position before Cruz lined Charlie Morton’s pitch into center field.
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