Astros 5, Mariners 2: Collin McHugh struck out a career-best 12 in 6 2/3 shutout innings in his first start of the season as Houston defeated host Seattle for the second straight night.

McHugh (1-0) was recalled to fill in for the injured Scott Feldman and allowed three hits and didn’t walk anyone while dominating the Mariners. The 26-year-old was 0-8 with an 8.94 ERA in 15 major-league appearances (nine starts) entering the contest.

Jason Castro hit a two-run homer and Chris Carter and Matt Dominguez hit solo shots for the Astros, who have scored 12 runs in the first two contests of the three-game series. Seattle has dropped eight straight games and 13 of its last 17.

McHugh was removed with two outs and nobody on in the seventh after throwing his 89th pitch. Raul Valdes served up a two-run homer to Seattle’s Justin Smoak later in the inning before the Astros had four singles in the eighth with Carter’s hit to center making it 5-2 and Josh Fields worked the ninth for his second save.

Dexter Fowler drew a one-out walk in the first inning and Castro followed with his blast off Erasmo Ramirez (1-3) to get Houston started. Carter drilled a one-out homer in the second and Dominguez hit his second homer of the series with one out in the seventh to make it 4-0.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Carter was 2-for-34 over his previous 11 games before going 2-for-4 to raise his average to .148. … Ramirez allowed three runs and three hits and struck out eight in six innings. … Houston pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts for the second straight night.