Varsho backs Brown in the Astros' 3-1 victory over the Mets

NEW YORK (AP) — Hunter Brown struck out 10 and allowed a run over 6 2/3 innings, Daulton Varsho had a two-run single in a three-run sixth inning and the Houston Astros beat the New York Mets 3-1 on Friday night.

Brown (4-3) threw 102 pitches and allowed five hits and a walk, becoming the first Astros starter since Aug. 10 to complete six innings.

Bryan Abreu struck out two and retired all four batters he faced. Josh Hader struck out two in the ninth for his 20th save in 20 opportunities.

Brown struck out six and didn't allow a hit through the first three innings, but Francisco Lindor led off the fourth with a single then scored from first on Carson Benge's one-out double.

Christian Scott (4-4) allowed only a Jose Altuve single in 5 1/3 innings, but he left after loading the bases on three walks. Varsho greeted Nate Lavender with a two-run single and Yainer Diaz singled in another run.

Scott walked five and was charged with all three runs. It was the first time Lavender allowed an inherited runner to score in his first 10 appearances with the Mets.

Houston (68-67) won Sunday to take two of three at Yankee Stadium and began the day with a one-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West.

The Mets (60-75) have lost three straight.

The Astros have not announced a starting pitcher for Saturday opposite Mets RHP Nolan McLean (9-8, 3.21 ERA).

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Houston Astros' Hunter Brown delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, August 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

New York Mets' Carson Benge reacts after hitting an RBI double against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Houston Astros' Daulton Varsho, right, follows through on an RBI single against the New York Mets during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz tosses his bat after hitting an RBI single against the New York Mets during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez (44) and Isaac Paredes shake hands after scoring against the New York Mets during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, August 28, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

TORONTO (AP) — Dylan Cease struck out eight in six innings, George Springer was 4 for 4 with a home run, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Seattle Mariners 8-1 on Friday night.

Cease (9-5), who gave up four hits, one run and a walk, now has 217 strikeouts to lead the AL. The only pitcher in the majors with more is Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski with 222.

Cease is 5-1 with a 1.48 ERA in his past 10 starts, including two wins over the Mariners.

Springer, who scored three runs, singled in the first inning, doubled in the third, hit his 14th homer in the fifth and singled in the seventh. Springer hit a memorable homer the last time Toronto hosted Seattle, a three-run shot to put the Blue Jays ahead in Game 7 of the 2025 ALCS.

Kazuma Okamoto and Nathan Lukes added homers for the Blue Jays.

Okamoto connected off Seranthony Domínguez in the sixth, extending his Blue Jays rookie record total to 27. Lukes homered in the fifth.

Dominic Canzone hit his 20th home run of the season in the first, but the Mariners lost their second straight. Seattle is 27-40 on the road.

Seattle starter Emerson Hancock (7-8) allowed five runs and eight hits in five innings.

After Toronto’s Brett Bateman opened the bottom of the first with a single, Hancock appeared shaken up when he chased down Lukes’ grounder and stretched to tag the leaping outfielder.

Hancock stayed in, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit an RBI double, Springer singled and Jesús Sánchez was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Guerrero scored on Okamoto's sacrifice fly and Andrés Giménez added an RBI single.

Toronto is 38-13 this season when scoring five or more.

RHP José Soriano (10-7, 3.43 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Blue Jays on Saturday against Mariners LHP Kade Anderson (0-0, 4.76).

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Seattle Mariners pitcher Emerson Hancock, right, reacts as Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer, back left, rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr., right, celebrates after hitting an RBI double as Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young, left, looks on during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' Dylan Cease works against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes, right, watches his solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)