The calendar may say late May, but there was no mistaking the urgency facing the Houston Astros. A 10-game homestand commenced Thursday with the first of four games against the team above the Astros and atop the American League West.

Jose Altuve homered twice and drove in a season-high four runs and Jeremy Peña tripled for his 500th career hit to help the Houston Astros to a 9-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night. It was tied with two outs in the fourth when Jake Meyers singled off George Kirby (0-1) before Cam Smith walked.

Jose Altuve and Lance McCullers Jr., the lone remaining members of the Astros’ 2017 World Series championship team, turned back the clock Thursday night at Daikin Park. McCullers flashed his best stuff of the season,