San Diego @ Seattle preview
T-Mobile Park
Last Meeting ( May 21, 2010 ) San Diego 8, Seattle 15
Not only have the Seattle Mariners found their hitting stroke in the past two games, but they also might have found solutions at designated hitter and catcher.
The previously dormant Mariners pounded Wade LeBlanc and the San Diego Padres, 15-8, on Friday night in the opener of a three-game interleague series that was shocking for both sides.
Consider LeBlanc had not allowed more than two runs in any start this season before giving up eight in three innings Friday. San Diego also had not allowed more than seven runs in a game this month and Seattle scored a total of 14 runs during its recent five-game losing streak.
Seattle designated hitter Mike Sweeney powered his way to two homers and six RBIs. Sweeney, 36, has a team-leading five homers, all in the last seven games.
The Mariners’ other designated hitter, Ken Griffey Jr. has yet to homer and is batting just .191. However, the veteran's RBI single gave Seattle a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.
In his career, Sweeney is 12-for-22 with four homers and 16 RBIs in seven games against San Diego.
Veteran Seattle catcher Josh Bard also has shown he is ready to step in and challenge for a regular spot. He has drawn praise from manager Don Wakamatsu and got the start Friday against his former team even though Rob Johnson was healthy.
Bard was called up from Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday when Adam Moore went on the 15-day disabled list with knee and heel problems.
Since then Bard is hitting .400 (6-for-15) with three doubles and a homer. He had a two-run homer and double against the Padres. His sacrifice fly in the ninth Thursday tied the score before Griffey’s winning hit.
The Mariners will try to win three in a row for just the second time this season on Saturday night as they send right-hander Ian Snell (0-2, 4.76 ERA) against left-hander Clayton Richard (3-2, 2.94).
Snell lost his spot in the rotation when Cliff Lee was activated and makes his first start since Ryan Rowland-Smith was demoted to the bullpen last week.
Snell had been working in long relief after four mediocre outings. He is 1-0 with a 2.65 ERA against San Diego.
Richard will try to return the Padres to their accustomed role as run stoppers. They entered Friday with the best ERA in the majors. They have struggled in recent years in interleague play and have won just six of their past 25 against Seattle. Richard is 3-0 with a 2.14 ERA in his last four starts.