Joe Saunders allowed three runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings as the Mariners beat the Astros on Friday. He struck out six and walked three in the 10-7 win. Mariners manager Eric Wedge was forced to send out Saunders for the first game of the second half because Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma started the final two contests prior to the All-Star break. Saunders (9-8) has allowed just five runs over his last four starts, dropping his ERA from 4.98 to 4.28. The veteran left-hander is on the trade block.