HOUSTON -- All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa made his triumphant return to the lineup following a six-week stint on the disabled list and, to little surprise, the Astros resembled the offensive juggernaut that dominated the American League before he was sidelined.

Cameron Maybin and George Springer homered while Correa contributed an RBI single and a stolen base as Houston rallied from an early three-run deficit to complete an interleague series sweep of the New York Mets with an 8-6 win Sunday at Minute Maid Park.

Maybin, making his second start since being claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels last Thursday, struck the biggest blow in the Astros' five-run third inning, belting a three-run homer off Mets right-hander Chris Flexen (3-4) to push Houston (83-53) to a 6-4 lead.

"It was real fun," Maybin said. "I think no lead is safe with this team and that's special to be a part of. We never get down and the confidence is high. We believe in the bats in the lineup and we know if the pitchers give us an opportunity to be in the game we're going to win late. So, it's fun to be a part of those big victories but it's also fun to win those tight games."

For Maybin, it was his seventh home run of the season and first with Houston. Springer added his 31st homer leading off the fourth inning to stretch the advantage to three runs. The Mets (58-78) scratched across two more runs off Astros starter Mike Fiers, but the Houston bullpen met the task of protecting a tenuous lead, overcoming harrowing moments along the way.

Astros right-hander Tyler Clippard recorded a called third strike against Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki to leave the bases loaded in the fifth inning. In the sixth, right-hander Will Harris (3-2) struck out Asdrubal Cabrera to close that frame with Jose Reyes stranded at third base.

Houston relievers Luke Gregerson and Chris Devenski stranded two baserunners each in the seventh and eighth, with Devenski leaving Juan Lagares and Norichika Aoki in scoring position. The Mets finished 4-for-17 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 baserunners.

"We asked a lot out of the bullpen," Astros manager A.J Hinch said. "Any time after a doubleheader and then you ask for five-plus innings out of your bullpen you're asking a lot. Even with the expanded rosters we had a few guys not available with just how we're going to protect some of our arms.

"Each guy had to do something positive to get to the finish line. There was a lot that was needed to get to 27 outs today. They stepped up."

Devenski later worked a scoreless ninth inning and recorded his fourth save. Josh Reddick finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs for the Astros, who earned their ninth series sweep this season.

Aoki finished 3-for-4 with a walk, two runs and two RBIs while Reyes went 2-for-4, swiped two bases and scored twice for the Mets, who closed their 10-game road trip at 3-7. The Mets finished 7-13 against the American League this season and are 19-31 since the All-Star break.

Neither starter performed well, with Fiers surrendering six runs on seven hits and three walks over 4 1/3 scattershot innings, an effort that all but sealed his demotion to the bullpen when the Astros add newly acquired right-hander Justin Verlander to their rotation on Tuesday.

Flexen, meanwhile, failed to take advantage of some early run support. The Mets tallied two runs in the first and second innings but their lead evaporated when Flexen allowed the first five batters to reach base and score in the bottom of the third. Despite those woes he was sent back to the mound in the fourth, and Springer struck for his second home run in as many days.

"You've got to go pitch," Mets manager Terry Collins said of Flexen, who allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks over four innings. "You've got to go learn how to deal with it. You've got to learn to pitch around it. That's exactly why we ran him out there in the fourth after a tough third. You've got to go out there and battle through some stuff. That's part of the process."

NOTES: Mets 3B Wilmer Flores will be re-examined Tuesday after the team returns home to determine the severity of the broken nose he suffered Saturday night. Flores fouled a pitch from Astros RHP Brad Peacock off his face in the fourth inning and immediately left the game. Subsequent X-ray exams revealed the fracture. The Mets are hopeful that Flores can resume play this season. ... Astros 1B Yuli Gurriel missed his fourth consecutive game with right knee soreness but manager A.J. Hinch believes Gurriel could return when the club opens a three-game series in Seattle on Monday. ... Hinch is exercising caution with OF Jake Marisnick (groin) and DH Carlos Beltran (neck/upper back) as both continue to nurse minor injuries.