MLB roundup: Justin Verlander throws 8 shutout innings

Justin Verlander pitched eight scoreless innings as the Houston Astros defeated the host Seattle Mariners 4-0 Saturday.

Martin Maldonado got his first hit of the season, a two-run homer, and Jeremy Pena went 3-for-3 with a double and triple, scored twice and drove in a run as the Astros evened the series at a game apiece.

Verlander (1-1), a 39-year-old right-hander who missed all of last season following Tommy John surgery, allowed three hits. He didn't walk a batter and struck out eight.

Astros reliever Hector Neris pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to wrap up the victory.

Ty France had two hits for the Mariners, who were baffled after winning their home opener against Houston 11-1 Friday night.

Mariners right-hander Chris Flexen put together a quality start, but it went for naught. Flexen (0-2) completed six innings and allowed three runs on five hits, with one walk and three strikeouts.

Braves 5, Padres 2

Right-hander Ian Anderson held San Diego to a run on two hits over 5 2/3 innings and was supported by three solo homers as visiting Atlanta scored a win.

Ozzie Albies homered on the game's second pitch off Padres starter and loser Nick Martinez. Albies has homered in each of the first three games of the series. Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna added solo homers in the fifth off Martinez (0-1).

San Diego's lone runs came on solo home runs by Jurickson Profar in the second and Trent Grisham in the eighth.

Diamondbacks 3, Mets 2

Sergio Alcantara hit a two-run homer and Ketel Marte added an RBI double in a three-run seventh inning as visiting Arizona ended an 11-game road losing streak to New York.

The Diamondbacks won in New York for the first time since getting a 3-2 victory on Aug. 24, 2017 - and they rebounded nicely from Friday's 10-3 loss.