Kansas City @ Seattle preview
T-Mobile Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2010 ) Kansas City 2, Seattle 1
A victory in Sunday’s three-game series finale will not change the season for the downtrodden Kansas City Royals or Seattle Mariners, but whoever wins can add a series triumph to their resume.
Such is life well outside the hunt for a wild-card spot. These teams have to take joy in the little pleasures like winning a series as fans in each respective city count down the days to the NFL opener.
The Royals (47-63) will send right-hander Kyle Davies (5-6, 5.32) to the mound against Seattle left-hander Jason Vargas (7-5, 3.19).
Kansas City has had few highlights in a dismal 2010 season, but closer Joakim Soria has been one of them.
In the Royals’ 2-1 victory Saturday night, Soria earned his 31st save, tying Tampa Bay’s Rafael Soriano for the American League lead. Soria also has 24 consecutive saves, tying Jeff Montgomery’s franchise mark set in 1993. He has converted 31-of-33 chances and has not blown a save since May 6.
Soria opened the ninth inning Saturday by allowing a leadoff single to Chone Figgins. Casey Kotchman advanced him to second, but Soria struck out Russell Branyan and Franklin Gutierrez.
Despite his impressive stats and a nickname - “Mexicutioner” - that appeals to fans, Soria often has his first name (wah-Keem) mispronounced outside of Kansas City. He was the Royals’ only representative in the All-Star Game but did not play. He had 42 saves in 2008.
Davies is taking the start of right-hander Brian Bannister, who was sent to the bullpen for at least a week as he works on pitching mechanics.
The right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts against the Mariners this season, allowing three runs in six innings in a 7-3 victory at Safeco Field on July 7.
The Mariners have to like their chances with Vargas at home. He is 6-2 with a 2.29 ERA in 12 starts at Safeco Field.
Vargas allowed two runs in six innings Tuesday for a 3-2 victory over Texas.
He has faced Kansas City just once, losing 8-2 on Aug. 6, 2009. He allowed eight runs, five in the first inning, over seven innings in that game.
Seattle leadoff hitter Ichiro Suzuki saw his 18-game hitting streak against the Royals – dating to July 12, 2008 – end Saturday night when he went 0-for-4. Suzuki is still batting .366 all-time against the Royals.
Figgins is batting 10-for-20 in his past five games with two runs, three RBIs, two doubles and two stolen bases.
Royals shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt became a father for the first time with a baby girl delivered Saturday in Miami. He is expected to join the Royals for their series at Los Angeles.