HOUSTON – The last time Felix Hernandez had a 7-0 lead, everything fell apart for Seattle’s ace. This time around things were much different.

HOUSTON – The last time Felix Hernandez had a 7-0 lead, everything fell apart for Seattle’s ace. This time around things were much different. Nick Franklin hit his first career grand slam in Seattle’s big second inning to back up a scoreless start by Hernandez, and the Mariners rolled past the Houston Astros 12-5 on Sunday for their season-best sixth straight victory. Franklin’s slam, Seattle’s fifth this season, came off Jordan Lyles (4-4) in a seven-run second. Hernandez (11-4) scattered four hits with seven strikeouts over six innings to lower his A.L.-leading ERA to 2.43. He is 6-0 in his last 10 starts and hasn’t lost since May 25.

HOUSTON – Drained but delighted, bordering on delirious, the  Mariners were in full agreement on one thing after they had – somehow – pulled out  a 4-2 victory over the Astros on Saturday night. This one was special. Special, as in a win to savor. And special, as in, you might not see another quite like this for a while.

HOUSTON – Rookie Brad Miller hit his first two major league homers and drove in five runs, and the Seattle Mariners overcame rookie Brandon Barnes’ cycle for the Astros in a 10-7 win over Houston on Friday night. Miller, who started the season in Double-A, launched a two-run shot to the second deck in right field to chase starter Bud Norris (6-9) and make it 6-2 in the sixth inning. He finished with three hits and added a three-run homer when he sent one to the first row in right field in the eighth.

HOUSTON – Rookie Brad Miller hit his first two major league homers and drove in five runs, and the Seattle Mariners overcame rookie Brandon Barnes’ cycle for the Astros in a 10-7 win over Houston on Friday night. Miller, who started the season in Double-A, launched a two-run shot to the second deck in right field to chase starter Bud Norris (6-9) and make it 6-2 in the sixth inning. He finished with three hits and added a three-run homer when he sent one to the first row in right field in the eighth.

The designated hitter turned 40 this year. Fittingly, it’s having sort of a midlife crisis.

HOUSTON – For the Seattle Mariners, the second half of the season (or technically, the final 41 percent of the season) will be filled with significant story lines. Regardless of how those storylines play out on the field, one of the biggest keys to the season will be what happens at the trade deadline.

SEATTLE – This should be an interesting two months ahead for the Mariners as they fight to win not only games on the field but fan confidence as well. That confidence was on the upswing as the team entered the All-Star break with its first series sweep, hitting like it hasn’t in years and riding a wave of enthusiasm over young players Nick Franklin, Brad Miller and Mike Zunino.

Raul Ibanez is crushing homers at a rate better than Barry Bonds or Ted Williams did at age 41, Felix Hernandez has 10 victories at the All-Star break, more than any other time in his career, and young prospects Nick Franklin, Brad Miller and Mike Zunino have provided a much-needed spark for the Seattle clubhouse.