HOUSTON -- Mitch Haniger had never before led off a game in his Major League career, let alone hit a leadoff home run off Justin Verlander.
But the Mariners right fielder got Seattle started on the right foot in Thursday's series opener against the Astros at Minute Maid Park, and the Mariners followed with a rarity. They hit for the cycle off Verlander in the first inning in reverse order, as Denard Span followed Haniger with a triple, Jean Segura doubled and Nelson Cruz singled before Houston's ace retired the next three batters to keep the score at 3-0.