SEATTLE -- Welcome back, George Springer.After sitting out a pair of games in which the Astros scored a total of two runs, the rookie outfielder returned to the lineup Saturday night at Safeco Field and belted a pair of two-run homers and drove in a career-high five runs to spark a 9-4 win over the Mariners.Springer, who injured his right hip flexor Wednesday in Anaheim and sat out the first two games in Seattle, hit a two-run homer to right off Brandon Maurer in the first inning and added a two-run blast to left off Maurer in the fifth that put the Astros ahead, 6-2. 
Behind the rookie's big day, the Astros snapped a four-game losing streak and enjoyed their biggest offensive day of the year, setting season highs in runs scored while wearing 1979 throwback rainbow jerseys. Houston also matched a season high with 11 hits.That was good news for Astros left-hander Brett Oberholtzer, who picked up his first win since shutting out the Mariners on Sept. 1 last year. He was 0-10 in 11 starts since that win, though his 4.55 ERA in that span was indicative of a lack of run support.Oberholtzer began the year in the Astros rotation and went 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA in seven starts before being sent down. He made two starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City and was 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA before being recalled Friday to give the other starters an extra day of rest.Oberholtzer went six innings and allowed three runs (two earned) and six hits with eight strikeouts. He has allowed four earned runs or fewer in all 15 of his Major League starts, which is the longest such streak by a lefty in team history.Astros red-hot second baseman Jose Altuve had two singles to push his Major League-leading total to 68 hits. He has recorded multiple hits in 11 of the last 14 games and has 21 multihit games this season, which is tied with Detroit's Ian Kinsler for most in the Majors.Springer has now homered in two consecutive games. He homered Wednesday in Anaheim before being hurt later in that game. It was the first multihomer game by an Astros rookie since Hunter Pence did so in 2007."He obviously makes our team better," Astros manager Bo Porter said before the game. "I'm a little bit happier when he's in the lineup than when he's not in the lineup. Getting him back in the lineup is definitely a boost for our ballclub."Springer told reporters Thursday and Friday he was well enough to play, but it wasn't until he did some agility work in the outfield Saturday afternoon that Porter finally put him in the lineup. When he was asked pregame about his thoughts upon seeing his name in the No. 2 spot in the order, Springer smiled and raised his arms in the air."I get to play baseball today," he said.Springer entered Saturday on a five-game hitting streak during which he was hitting .353.Brian McTaggart / MLB.com
Behind the rookie's big day, the Astros snapped a four-game losing streak and enjoyed their biggest offensive day of the year, setting season highs in runs scored while wearing 1979 throwback rainbow jerseys. Houston also matched a season high with 11 hits.That was good news for Astros left-hander Brett Oberholtzer, who picked up his first win since shutting out the Mariners on Sept. 1 last year. He was 0-10 in 11 starts since that win, though his 4.55 ERA in that span was indicative of a lack of run support.Oberholtzer began the year in the Astros rotation and went 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA in seven starts before being sent down. He made two starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City and was 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA before being recalled Friday to give the other starters an extra day of rest.Oberholtzer went six innings and allowed three runs (two earned) and six hits with eight strikeouts. He has allowed four earned runs or fewer in all 15 of his Major League starts, which is the longest such streak by a lefty in team history.Astros red-hot second baseman Jose Altuve had two singles to push his Major League-leading total to 68 hits. He has recorded multiple hits in 11 of the last 14 games and has 21 multihit games this season, which is tied with Detroit's Ian Kinsler for most in the Majors.Springer has now homered in two consecutive games. He homered Wednesday in Anaheim before being hurt later in that game. It was the first multihomer game by an Astros rookie since Hunter Pence did so in 2007."He obviously makes our team better," Astros manager Bo Porter said before the game. "I'm a little bit happier when he's in the lineup than when he's not in the lineup. Getting him back in the lineup is definitely a boost for our ballclub."Springer told reporters Thursday and Friday he was well enough to play, but it wasn't until he did some agility work in the outfield Saturday afternoon that Porter finally put him in the lineup. When he was asked pregame about his thoughts upon seeing his name in the No. 2 spot in the order, Springer smiled and raised his arms in the air."I get to play baseball today," he said.Springer entered Saturday on a five-game hitting streak during which he was hitting .353.Brian McTaggart / MLB.com
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