Astros set sights on series split vs. Mariners

Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith was absent from the starting lineup on Wednesday, although he did enter as a defensive substitution in the top of the ninth before recording a single in the bottom of that inning to snap an 0-for-12 slump.

Smith was stranded in the ninth before the Astros rallied for a 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners in the 10th inning that set the table for a potential split of the teams' four-game set in the series finale on Thursday afternoon in Houston.

At 23 years old, Smith is viewed as a potential cornerstone for the Astros. His average dipped to .203 following his 0-for-4 effort that included three strikeouts on Tuesday.

Houston manager Joe Espada deemed a break was necessary.

"Just kind of a breather," Espada said. "He's been unlucky a little bit lately.

"He's so good on both sides of the ball that when you give him a day off, it's also the defense (impacted). Keep working on some stuff that he's working on with (hitting coach) Victor (Rodriguez) and trying to get him on the right path."

Right-hander Mike Burrows (2-4, 5.04 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Astros on Thursday.

Burrows produced his best start of the season last Friday against the Cincinnati Reds after allowing three hits and one walk with six strikeouts over seven scoreless innings in a 10-0 road victory. That marked the second consecutive quality start for Burrows, who recorded 21 outs for the first time this season.

Burrows is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in two career starts against the Mariners. He allowed season highs in hits (11) and runs (six) in a 6-2 road loss to the Mariners on April 13.

Right-hander Luis Castillo (0-4, 6.57 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Mariners on Thursday.

Castillo lost 6-1 to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday after allowing four runs on five hits and striking out six over four innings. He is 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA in his last three starts.

Castillo is 3-2 with a 3.90 ERA in 10 career starts against the Astros. In his previous appearance against them on April 11, Castillo allowed seven runs on 10 hits and one walk, with three strikeouts, over 3 1/3 innings, but did not factor into the decision in an 8-7 Seattle home win.

After missing 17 games with a left groin muscle strain that landed him on the injured list on April 20, Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan was not in the starting lineup on Wednesday.

Leo Rivas started at third base for Donovan, who entered as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the ninth inning and walked in his lone plate appearance leading off the top of the 10th. He was stranded at third base representing the go-ahead run.

"We talked about having to be careful with him as he comes back," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said of Donovan, who was reinstated from the IL last Friday and batted .111 (2-for-18) in his first four games following his return from injury. "This was a scheduled night for him."